Chelsea great Pat Nevin reckons that a break over the international week would have done the world of good for Eden Hazard.

The Belgian suffered a calf strain in the FA Cup win over Manchester United and sat out the next Premier League game against Stoke City.

He also missed Belgian's World Cup qualifier against Greece and friendly with Russia during the international break.

However, he is expected to be fit for Saturday's clash against Crystal Palace, and Nevin is expecting to see a 'recharged' Hazard against the Eagles.

"Eden Hazard might be winning his battle for fitness for the game against Palace, so the recovery time probably did him some good in the end," Nevin wrote in his column for Chelsea's official website.

"The Belgians would have liked him to be available for their 1-1 draw against Greece, but that would have been pushing it I reckon.

"I actually think this has been a good thing for the club generally, not just Eden, and maybe for the manager more than anyone else it has been an opportunity to take stock.

"He will have had a chance to recharge."