Sterling and Mount ruled out but Kante could return against Everton: Potter provides fitness update

N'Golo Kante is expected to return — Potter said that he had "a possibility" of playing for Chelsea against Everton.

Mason Mount will not be joining the England team during the next international break, according to Graham Potter, but the head coach received better news today about N'Golo Kante's availability for Chelsea's match against Everton.

‘There is a chance for him to be in the squad,’ reported Potter.

‘It would be the first time [since Potter took charge] so it’s fantastic. Managers before me have spoken very highly of N’Golo because he’s a top, top player.

‘He’s been a huge miss to us. That’s not to say the other players haven’t given absolutely everything because they have, but N’Golo Kante is N'Golo Kante. A top player.

Although Kante hasn't played for the Blues since August, Mount hasn't since last month.

He added: It’s great for us he’s back. We need to be mindful of the fact he’s had a long injury. We need to be mindful of the fact he’s had a long injury and we need to take the next steps to get him up to speed in the Premier League, which is what we’ll do. 

During his press conference to promote tomorrow's game against the Toffees, Potter updated the media on the midfielder as well as Raheem Sterling, who was also left out of the England team, and Kante, who had just resumed training.

'Raheem has a problem with his hamstring,' reported Potter.

'It’s not too serious but he’ll miss the game at the weekend and he’ll miss the international break.

'It’s the same as Mason. Mason has been struggling a little bit with his pubic bone. He wasn’t 100 per cent the last game and is still not quite there, so he will miss the England camp as well.'

In addition, Potter acknowledged that Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta were still out and that he would be without two further regulars for the Everton match.