Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater missed the recent England internationals. Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • Midfielder pulled out for England World Cup qualifiers due to a groin injury.
  • Nampalys Mendy has suffered a setback in his recovery.

Claudio Ranieri hopes Danny Drinkwater will be available for the Leicester City trip to Chelsea on Saturday (15 October) after the midfielder completed Thursday's training session with the rest of his teammates. However, Nampalys Mendy is set to miss out yet again at Stamford Bridge after suffering a setback in his long-term ankle injury.

Drinkwater, 26, played the full 90 minutes in Leicester's goalless draw with Southampton on 2 October. However, he pulled out for the England World Cup Qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia due to a groin injury.

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Ranieri said that the England international has seized on the international break to step up his rehabilitation. Yet, the manager will need to assess him once again on Friday before making a final decision on his availability to face Chelsea.

"It was a little problem with the groin but I hope tomorrow, I speak with the doctor, and he will be OK," the boss said during the press conference as quoted by Sky Sports. "Today he trained well and now I want to wait to see if it is OK tomorrow. If the response is OK, it's OK. If no, then I say I be careful."

However, the visit to Chelsea will surely come too early for Mendy after the Leicester summer signing suffered a new setback with his ankle injury. The Frenchman is yet to play a game since the draw against Arsenal on 20 August.

"He came back and then after half an hour he left the game," Ranieri confirmed. "He has a little problem with his ankle. He is fit but just a little twist again and the pain is very strong. I say yes, he may be fit next week, but we will see."

Ben Chilwell also suffered an injury scare during the international break after withdraw from the England Under-21 squad. However, Ranieri suggests that the young left-back and the other 11 internationals in his squad will be fit to play at Chelsea.

"They are all back fortunately, the last this morning," the boss added. "But all the clubs have the same problem and now we have to see who has recovered well and then I choose. With the Champions League against Copenhagen on Tuesday, I must see who plays and decide."

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