Chelsea are optimistic N’Golo Kante has avoided serious injury and a lengthy lay-off after being forced off against Tottenham.

The midfielder was one of Chelsea’s standout performers in Sunday’s 2-2 draw but was substituted in the 84th minute with a hamstring injury.

Following the game, manager Thomas Tuchel said: ‘Seems like another muscle injury and a hamstring. He said he feels it pretty strong so no good news.’

The Frenchman had tests yesterday and the initial hope is that the injury and any damage is not as bad as first feared and that Kante will be able to return.

The World Cup winner had his 2021-22 season disrupted by a string of injury and illness issues, and missed 16 games.

And Tuchel admitted last season that Chelsea need to find a way of getting and keeping Kante fit, such is his quality and importance to the team.

Tuchel said: ‘I think he is our key, key player but key, key players have to be on the pitch and he only plays 40 per cent of games.’