Report: Chelsea worried Kante may miss next 6 matches

Chelsea is set to realize the magnitude of N'Golo Kante's efforts after reports surfaced Wednesday claiming the midfield lynchpin could miss six matches through injury.

Kante was forced off in the 34th minute of France's win over Bulgaria on Saturday with a hamstring worry, and the two-time Premier League winner will be on the sidelines for Chelsea's next six matches, according to the Telegraph's Matt Law.

That means Kante will miss out on Saturday's south London sojourn to face bottom dweller Crystal Palace, two Champions League ties with Roma, league clashes with Bournemouth and Watford, and a League Cup visit from Everton.

Chelsea has yet to confirm the gravity of Kante's hamstring injury or put a timeframe on his return, though it's clear the 26-year-old's absence could open the door for Danny Drinkwater's Blues debut.

Drinkwater, who made the shock £35-million Stamford Bridge pilgrimage in the summer from Leicester City, has been facing a race for fitness after picking up a calf injury, and it's unclear if he'll be ready in time for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Blues boss Antonio Conte is likely to opt for a midfield tandem of Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko in hopes that Kante's injury is short-term after the Frenchman started 35 of the club's 38 league matches last season on the way to earning Premier League Player of the Season honours.