Chelsea - AFC Bournemouth preview: Hazard eyes top four as returning stars boost champions

The Blues have recovered from a poor beginning to the season and will be boosted by a number of returning stars, including Thibaut Courtois and Radamel Falcao

Eden Hazard is refusing to give up hope of a top-four finish ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

The champions have gone some way to putting their dismal early-season form behind them, with two wins, one draw and three clean sheets in their last three games in all competitions.

Jose Mourinho is also poised to welcome back a handful of first-team stars, most notably goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is on track to return to the first team following knee surgery and could be involved when Eddie Howe's men visit Stamford Bridge.

With captain John Terry - one victory away from becoming the fourth player to reach 300 Premier League wins - having shaken off an ankle problem, Ramires and Radamel Falcao expected to return from muscular complaints and striker Loic Remy available again after missing last week's 0-0 draw with Tottenham, Hazard is confident Chelsea can kick on during the hectic schedule in December.

"We try to take game after game and win game after game," he said. "We won against Norwich, we drew [against Tottenham] and we play a good game at home next week which we have to win.

"We want to finish in the top four and we know it's difficult but we will try. We will continue to work hard and continue to take pleasure from our game."