Chelsea Predicted XI vs Ajax: N’Golo Kante set to return on big Champions League night

Chelsea have been handed a major boost ahead of their Champions League clash with Ajax on Tuesday with the news that N’Golo Kante will return to action.

The France international has been sidelined since picking up an injury on international duty earlier this month.

But ahead of the clash at Stamford Bridge, boss Frank Lampard confirmed that the midfield star is back.

“Kante is in the squad so he is fit and it looks nicely like the injury and the few niggles he was getting have cleared up and we have been able get some work into him,” said the Blues boss.

“It was always stop-start before that. He is in the squad and available.

‘N’Golo is huge for us. He is one of the best midfielders in the world and has been for a few seasons, so I won’t complain about the nice problem I have with him fit.”

Lampard is delighted to have Kante back and available.

Being such an important game we’re expecting the 28-year-old to slot straight into the starting XI alongside Jorginho and Mason Mount in the middle.

That will likely be the only change Lampard makes from his side’s 2-1 win at Watford with Willian, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham ready to spearhead the attack once more.

In the reverse fixture, Chelsea stunned the Amsterdam crowd a fortnight ago as Michy Batshuayi scored a late winner to put the London side ahead of Ajax on goal difference at the top of Group H.

A win for Lampard’s side on Tuesday will take them to within touching distance of advancing to the last-16.

Predicted XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Tomori, Zouma, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Mount; Willian, Abraham, Pulisic