Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says N'Golo Kante is ready to make a playing return.

Kante has endured a frustrating start to the season as he has been restricted to just six appearances in all competitions after suffering an ankle injury.

Lampard told talkSPORT: "I think firstly he's a fantastic player, when I came in I was so excited to work with him. He's world class and I need him, no doubt. It's brilliant for us all that he's back. He's had little niggles, now we've got him hopefully looking good."

Lampard suggested that it is possible to play Kante, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic together, with all three players capable of adapting to different tasks in midfield.

He said: "You can. I think one thing we have done is try to be adaptable. All of them, even Mason, they can all do lots of parts of the midfield game. They can all do a lot, whoever I pick, you like to think they'll give you a good performance."