EDEN HAZARD may return to the Chelsea team when they face Everton in the Premier League next week.
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| Hazard has had two injuries in the last month and Hiddink is keen to avoid a third |
The Belgian limped out of Jose Mourinho's final game in charge of Chelsea as they were beaten by Leicester at the King Power Stadium but returned to action from the bench 12 days later against Watford.
But the 25-year-old was substituted again after just 14 minutes as the Premier League champions beat Crystal Palace 3-0 and will now miss the Blues' FA Cup clash with Scunthorpe.
Injuries to Radamel Falcao (thigh) and Loic Remy (calf) leave Hazard as the only makeshift back-up to striker Diego Costa, unless returned Palace loanee Patrick Bamford can convince Hiddink that the depth in the squad is deeper than it currently appears.
"We have to be very careful and cautious about our strikers," Hiddink said.
"We have a midweek game and next weekend. He won’t make midweek, but we have to be careful because a player must not fall into a physical trap after twice falling into it.
"We must take a little bit more time. He was fit to play but he slipped against Crystal Palace but maybe we bring him back half a game later.
"We must be careful not to bring him back too early."
Hazard will therefore not be fit enough to face West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday but could find himself involved when Roberto Martinez's brings his side to Stamford Bridge on January 17.
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