Chelsea team news: N’Golo Kante doubtful for Man United, but Antonio Rudiger could return

N’Golo Kante is struggling to recover from the rib injury that forced him to be substituted at half-time against Burnley in time for Sunday’s clash with Man United.

The France international didn’t train with the first team on Thursday and is taking longer than expected to become fully fit.

Maurizio Sarri said: “We are trying to recover Kante, but I am not sure at the moment.”

However, the Italian did confirm that defender Antonio Rudiger is available for selection after a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Callum Hudson-Odoi faces a minimum of three months on the sidelines.

Hudson-Odoi had surgery on a ruptured Achilles in Barcelona earlier this week after sustaining the problem against Burnley on Monday night.

It came as a huge blow to the 18-year-old, who had started four Premier League games in a row for the Blues.

Sarri hasn’t ruled out the winger recovering for the start of the next campaign, although suggests it is unlikely.

He said: “How long? It depends, of course. For sure three months. Then we have to see the condition because you can be able to play, but we need a player at the top. And so it depends. The technical period is three months, no less.

“The operation of Callum went in the right way. I think that he will be back here in one or two days.

“He'll need time now, but Callum is a very strong young man. Very strong physically, and very strong mentally. I'm sure he'll be able to come back better than before.”