Drinkwater’s Chelsea debut delayed due to injury – Conte

Matt Stead

England midfielder Danny Drinkwater’s Chelsea debut has been delayed until October by a calf injury.

Drinkwater was an unused substitute against his former club Leicester last Saturday and missed the midweek Champions League win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said: “He had a muscular problem in his calf. I think it’s very difficult to see him before the international break. He needs time to recover.

“It’s a pity because he was starting to work and to improve his physical condition.

“Now we have to move all these situations. And in two, three weeks, four weeks, I don’t know.”

Drinkwater joined on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £35million to be reunited with former Leicester team-mate N’Golo Kante. The midfield pair were key in the Foxes’ 2015-16 surprise title win.