Antonio Conte provides fitness update on N'Golo Kante ahead of Manchester United clash

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that N'Golo Kante has progressed 'very well' following his hamstring injury, and could make the matchday squad against Manchester United on Sunday.

The midfielder sustained the muscular problem on international duty with France earlier in October, and this has seen him miss three top-flight games.

Kante travelled alongside his Blues teammates to face AS Roma in midweek, but Conte decided against involving him in the matchday squad as he felt the Frenchman was not 100 percent fit.

Speaking in the lead-up to the United game, Conte admitted that Kante is an influential player in the Blues' ranks, and he will make a late decision on his involvement versus United.

"He’s progressing well and we have also tomorrow and then I’ll take the best decision for him and for the team," he told reporters, as per Evening Standard.

"But for sure he’s progressing very well and I’m very happy with this. You know very well we are talking about an important player."

In the absence of Kante, the Blues have succumbed to disappointing defeats to Crystal Palace and AS Roma - with the latter exhibiting the poor organisation in their backline.

Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz underperformed during the 3-0 loss to Roma on Tuesday night, and it would not come as a surprise if both are dropped to the bench for Sunday's late kick-off at Stamford Bridge.