The World Cup-winning midfielder claims to be "feeling better" after sitting out three games and coming off the bench against Tottenham
N'Golo Kante's update on his general fitness at Chelsea will be music to the ears of Thomas Tuchel, with the French midfielder saying his recent groin problem was "managed very well" and he is now "feeling better".
The World Cup winner was forced to sit out three games for the Blues after picking up another untimely knock.
He was, however, introduced off the bench in a derby date with Tottenham on Sunday and scored a rare goal in north London as his presence helped to swing a tight encounter in favour of the current Premier League leaders.
What has been said?
On being back in action and looking to rediscover full match sharpness, Kante told Chelsea's official website: "I am feeling better.
"I think we managed the injury very well. I took time to come onto the pitch and I am happy to be back and I felt very good."
Can Kante get back to his best?
Kante replaced Mason Mount in the heart of Chelsea's midfield against Spurs, and helped the Blues to a convincing 3-0 win.
He added greater control for Tuchel's side in a congested engine room, with his energy and drive helping to push their local rivals onto the back foot.
The 30-year-old even got his name on the scoresheet, although he did benefit from a large slice of luck as a hopeful drive from distance flicked off Eric Dier and left Hugo Lloris wrong-footed.
"It wasn’t my most beautiful goal, but it was an important goal and it helped my team," Kante added.
"Mateo [Kovacic] gave me the ball, I saw that I had time to shoot so I shot, it was a deflection, but I am happy that it touched the post and went in. I am happy that I helped the team."
Kante's outing against Tottenham was just his fourth of the season, with only 108 minutes of top-flight action seen so far, but he is now free of his latest ailment and ready to become a talismanic figure for Chelsea once more.