Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 6y

Chelsea's N'Golo Kante not '100 percent yet' following injury return

N'Golo Kante says his hamstring still does not feel "100 percent" despite producing an impressive performance on his return to action as Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Kante, 26, missed all six of Chelsea's October matches after picking up the problem on France duty at the beginning of the month, and has been omitted from Didier Deschamps' latest squad for friendlies against Wales and Germany in order to aid his return to full fitness.

Conte decided it would be "stupid to risk" Kante in Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League in midweek, and after the United win the midfielder agreed that caution is the best policy in his recovery.

Asked about his omission from the France squad by SFR Sport, Kante said: "It was the prudent choice. I don't think I'm 100 percent yet. I'll use the time to stay here and concentrate on getting back to 100 percent. It's not at all a problem. 

"I'm happy to have come back. It was a bit long for me [to wait] after the injury. I want to thank all the fans and the medical staff. I'm happy to have returned, and to return with a win."

Chelsea kept just one clean sheet in the six matches Kante missed, suffering a shock 2-1 Premier League defeat against Crystal Palace, and took just one point from two Champions League clashes with Roma, but the midfielder was pleased they returned to winning ways against United.

"I'm very happy," Kante added. "It's sure that the defeat to Roma hurt us a bit, but it was important to bounce back. We won, it does us good, everyone was happy in the dressing room. I hope that after the international break we'll return in that sort of form and with wins."

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