Chelsea news: Robert Pires makes N'Golo Kane claim.. is this true?

All-action midfielder Kante, 26, helped Chelsea win the title in his first season at the club but has been way off his best form this campaign.

The French midfielder has missed the Blues’ last four games after suffering a thigh injury on international duty at the start of September.

And Pires thinks there could be another problem that Kante is dealing with.

He told bwin: "He's so important for the balance of Chelsea's team.

"I think the main reason he's struggled is that he's burning out – he's perhaps a bit too tired.

"Don't forget he's pretty much played every game for about three seasons now – that's a lot of minutes."

Conte was asked about how Kante’s progressing at today’s press conference as Chelsea prepare to get their title challenge back on track.

And although he admitted the 26-year-old will not be risked at Bournemouth, he revealed he’s not far off a first-team return.

Conte said: "N’Golo is still not ready.

"We have to wait and hope to have him back for the Roma game."