Saturday 16 April 2016 17:53, UK
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink admits Eden Hazard's form and injury struggles this season have been "alarming".
The Belgium winger was named PFA Player of the Year last term but has only scored twice in 38 first-team appearances for the Blues in 2015/16, both goals coming in the FA Cup.
Hazard has had several injuries during the current campaign, struggling predominantly with an ongoing hip problem, and he has not played since the March 9 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
"It's a long period of absence for him," said Hiddink. "It was a bit alarming but now he is coming back. He practised in three sessions of us.
"But I told him now he must start performing. It's difficult when one has been player of the year and then has this fall. Some of it is due to injuries, and not in top form, it must be alarming for a player.
"It was breaking my head too; what can I do to help him get back on track? He fell too much into injuries and difficulties to come back and get out of there."
Diego Costa has completed his three-match suspension and will be available for Chelsea's game against Manchester City on Saturday Night Football.
It was a bit alarming but now he is coming back. I told him now he must start performing.
Hiddink confirmed there has been no let-up in the striker's training despite him not playing since his sending-off in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Everton at Goodison Park, in which he was sent off after 84 minutes.
"Diego Costa was working very hard," he said. "Normally when a player has been out that long they like to take a little break but he didn't. Also, individually, when we were on the road, he was here at Cobham working with the staff. He was eager to play."
