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Kante is the latest to join France's horror injury list in the lead up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the 31-year-old ruled out for three months due to a serious hamstring injury, according to numerous sources.
The Chelsea player has not made an appearance in the Premier League since their dramatic matchday two encounter with London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, where he was substituted in the 84th minute of the 2-2 draw.
It is understood that the player was on track for a full recovery before he suffered yet another setback at the final stage of rehabilitation from the injury suffered in mid-August.
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter told reporters on Friday (AEDT) that he was concerned for the player's condition.
"It's a setback so it's not good news, but anything other than that at this stage, I can't give you anything more," Potter said.
"Historically, there are things which have happened which is a concern, so we need to get to the bottom of that.
"It happened in the last stage of his rehab which is a concern. He is due to see a consultant at the weekend."
While Potter could not confirm the player's injury status, ESPN believes that the star midfielder will miss all Premier League action until mid-January. French publication L'Equipe reports that he will not be fit to feature for the reigning champions at the World Cup in November.
Kante joins an injury list for France which currently includes the likes of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, defenders Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint Germain) and Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), as well as midfielders Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa) and Paul Pogba (Juventus).
The above missed out on their recent internationals against Austria and Denmark alongside national team captain Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), defender Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), midfielder Adrien Rabiot (Juventus) and attacking duo Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) and Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), all of whom have made returns at club level since the September international period.
Kante's reported ruling out of their 2022 World Cup campaign, which begins against Australia at 6am (AEDT) on Wednesday, November 23, means that the French will be without two of their key midfield contributors to their 2018 success, with Pogba also in the starting XI en route to scoring a goal in their 4-2 victory against Croatia in the final.
