Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says it'd be wrong to push N'Golo Kante to make Sunday's clash with Manchester United.

Kante missed last night's humbling at Roma with a hamstring strain and is touch-and-go to make the United showdown.

Courtois lamented: "Obviously it is different to last season. Injuries have been coming and not at a good time. We know how important N'Golo is for us, he is the guy that brings a lot of balance into the team. But we can't push him to play if he doesn't feel ready.

"Danny (Drinkwater) was also out for a long time as well. It means Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas have played a lot of games in midfield and obviously that goes into their legs and it is harder for them to keep up the pressure, especially against the midfield three like Roma had last night."

Courtois hinted his teammates weren't at the necessary levels to compete at the Olimpico.

"I think we have to start again, maybe have the balance like last season, try to defend first and then look to score goals.

"In Bournemouth we had a good solid performance, but of course Bournemouth are not Roma. They gave us a tough game twice.

"This season we are conceding more chances than we did last year. We have to try to get that extra step in, that extra per cent to stop actions, not be 90 per cent. Maybe with a lot of games, sometimes you maybe go a bit less."