Danny Drinkwater is yet to make his Chelsea debut (Picture: Chelsea)

England midfielder Danny Drinkwater’s Chelsea debut has been delayed until October by a calf injury.

Drinkwater was an unused substitute against his former club Leicester last Saturday and missed the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

[metro-zone-post-thumbnail-link]

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: ‘He had a muscular problem in his calf. I think it’s very difficult to see him before the international break. He needs time to recover.

‘It’s a pity because he was starting to work and to improve his physical condition.

Danny Drinkwater’s injury is likely to hand Tiemoue Bakayoko another chance to shine (Picture: Getty)

‘Now we have to move all these situations. And in two, three weeks, four weeks, I don’t know.’

Drinkwater joined on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £35million to be reunited with former Leicester team-mate N’Golo Kante. The midfield pair were key in the Foxes’ 2015-16 surprise title win.

Chelsea play Arsenal on Sunday in the third of seven matches in September.

The Blues will have had more than 48 hours additional rest over the Gunners, who beat Cologne in the Europa League on Thursday night. Conte played down the extra time between games.

He added: ‘I watched the game and (Arsenal boss Arsene) Wenger rotated a lot of players, a lot of players rested for the game against us. I think it’s not an advantage.’

MORE : Antonio Conte believes Arsenal are capable of challenging Chelsea for the Premier League title