Worry for Chelsea as defender is ruled out of international duty with injury

Kurt Zouma picked up the knock against Stoke City on Saturday

KURT ZOUMA has withdrawn from international duty with the France under-21 team after picking up an injury against Stoke.

The young centre-back played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as Chelsea lost 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

But after arriving at the French base in Clairefontaine, he was sent back to London by the medical team due to an unspecified injury.

It means Zouma will miss the 2017 Euro Championships qualifiers with Northern Ireland on Thursday and Macedonia on Sunday.

After the international break, Chelsea face Norwich City at Stamford Bridge, looking to get their season back on track after a dismal start.

 

The reigning Premier League champions are in sixteenth place in the table, 17 points off leaders Manchester City and 15 off a top four place.