Chelsea get a major boost as N’Golo Kante looks set to play against Manchester United on Sunday
Antonio Conte's side have conceded 11 goals in six matches without the French midfielder who will be back just in time for the crunch clash on Sunday
N'GOLO KANTE is reportedly set for a return tomorrow when Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
His presence will be a boost for under-fire boss Antonio Conte who has felt the Frenchman's absence in the midfield during the six games he has been sidelined.
According to The Times, Conte believes Kante is ready to get back on the pitch during the crunch clash.
The Italian boss said: "He's progressing well. You know very well that we are talking about an important player."
The key midfielder missed six games after injuring his hamstring while on International duty for France against Bulgaria.
The Blues have struggled without him, managing only one clean sheet in that time, conceding 11 goals and losing twice.
After talks with his player, Conte left Kante out of Tuesday's disastrous Champions League trip to Roma - the Blues 3-0 defeat was their biggest loss in Europe for five years.
With the 26-year-old back in the line up Conte must prepare his team for the return of Jose Mourinho to his former London home.
The Italian's touchline celebrations during Chelsea's 4-0 win last season irked the United boss and a feud between the two has been heading towards boiling point as the match nears.
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Mourinho has taken a leaf out of his predecessor Sir Alex Furguson's mind game book, firing public digs aimed towards Conte.
Meanwhile, Chelsea's manager has admitted that he is not friends with Mourinho, or any other of his Premier League counter parts.
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Conte said: "Not now. You can have respect, respect for the job and the work, but to speak about friendship is very difficult. In this time, you see only opponents."
The Blues need all three points to remain within striking distance of United who are four points ahead in the table and league leaders Manchester City who are a further five points ahead.
The Red Devils may also get a boost in their midfield with Paul Pogba eyeing his return in the same game as Kante after he injured his hamstring while on international duty as well.
United will look to build momentum on their critical win over third placed Tottenham last weekend, bouncing back from a humiliating defeat against Huddersfield the week before.
