Chelsea star Eden Hazard warns fans not to expect too much from his eagerly-awaited injury comeback: 'I will play bad for some games'

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Eden Hazard has spoken candidly about his long-awaited return to the football pitch, insisting Chelsea fans should not expect too much of him in the coming weeks.

The Belgian has been on the sidelines for a prolonged period of time following a nasty ankle issue which required surgery in the summer.

Hazard only recently made his first return to starting action during Chelsea's crucial victory over Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

Eden Hazard has warned fans he will not be at his best following his return from injury

The Belgian recently made his first Premier League start against Manchester City

Speaking this week, however, Hazard has opened up on his return to the fold and warned fans he may not be at the level they usually expect of him.

'I don't know, I will see at the end of the season. I missed football for three months [and] it's not easy to come back after a big injury but I did,' Hazard told the Evening Standard.

'I worked out during the summer. I just want to play football. I will miss some games, I will play bad for some games. 

'I just want to play football and try to bring the best of me,' he added.

Hazard returned to international action this week and was given a rough time against Cyprus

Hazard's return has coincided with his recent nomination for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.

The mercurial winger has made the shortlist for football's top individual honour, alongside his fellow Chelsea team-mate N'Golo Kante and Premier League peers including Harry Kane, Sadio Mane and Kevin De Bruyne.