Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante has been pictured warming up with his teammates ahead of a full training session.

The Frenchman was expected to return before the end of February and it appears he is now closing in on his first-team comeback after six months out:

🔵 ✅ N’Golo Kante is warming up with the Chelsea squad before full training pic.twitter.com/5h7HgMwFNW

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 21, 2023

Kante has not played since the 2-2 draw against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge back in mid-August and, ironically, he could be ready to return to face the same opponent if he is included in the matchday squad this weekend.

As the 31-year-old has been out for so long, manager Graham Potter may play it safe in terms of easing him back into action. The Spurs clash could come too soon but you can’t rule out the midfielder being named on the bench.

Having Kante playing alongside Enzo Fernandez is a mouth-watering prospect and it looks as though the pairing could get a runout in the not too distant future.