Jose fears returning Jimmy

Jose Mourinho fears Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on his return to Chelsea.

Mourinho allowed the player to leave in the summer, but the Dutch striker has been in fine form for Middlesbrough, and will be keen to show that he was discarded too soon.

"We have had two tough away games and managed to win them both, but it will only be nice to be back at the Bridge if we win against Middlesbrough," said Mourinho.

"They are also a difficult side with excellent players and again a very good manager in Steve McClaren.

"They also have excellent attacking players, and one of them is Jimmy.

"Now I can imagine Jimmy with his great spirit wanting to score against us when he comes back to Chelsea, which is still his home.

"He will make it very difficult for us."

Mourinho has been delighted with a series of gritty results that have put them firmly in the driving seat in the Premiership title race.

"We have survived a crucial period, so far," added the Portuguese tactician.

"We approached Christmas knowing there were four difficult matches, two of them away at Portsmouth and Liverpool which were very demanding.

"A lot of people felt that Chelsea could drop four or five points over this period and it has been important to show what we are and that we are there at the top for a reason.

"Chelsea last season were doing well but lost consecutive matches in this period and disappeared from the fight.

"Maybe a lot of people were saying it could happen again. So this has been our answer, and it will give us even more confidence and self belief.

"And it shows to Manchester United and Arsenal that they have to fight and play well but it will be difficult for them to catch us."