Huge boost for Chelsea as key duo train ahead of Man City clash

Chelsea duo N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy both trained on Wednesday and look on course to play in Saturday’s Champions League final against Manchester City in Porto.

Mendy injured his ribs when trying to prevent the opening goal in his side’s recent 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, which Kante missed because he is nursing a hamstring problem.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel indicated last week that he was optimistic that Kante would play against City.

And the German suggested at his post-match press conference after the loss at Villa that he expected both Kante and goalkeeper Mendy to train on Wednesday – which they duly did.

“There is no change with N’Golo. It looks good and I hope it stays that way,” Tuchel said.

“For Edou, the update is that we still have hope that he joins the group.

“He made a huge improvement with the management of pain. We will have a further update on Wednesday.

“Edou will play if he is fit. If he’s not fit on Wednesday we will try on Thursday and we will try on Friday.

“At the same time we have trust that if he cannot make it then we have a strong guy on the bench with Kepa, who will take his place.

“So now the race is on. We are very happy that the images don’t show that the injury is serious, so at the moment we are positive.

“Every hour counts now and every day counts. Hopefully the team around Edou and he himself can do enough and he will be on the pitch.”