Guus Hiddink has played down talk of Cesc Fabregas leaving Chelsea in January and confirmed that the Spaniard will be fit to face Crystal Palace.
A number of reports this week claimed that Fabregas who was substituted at half-time during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Watford on Saturday and missed Monday's trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United with a high temperature is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, with both Juventus and Inter reported to be interested in bringing him to Serie A in the New Year.
Fabregas has had a disappointing season at Chelsea and bore the brunt of supporter anger in the wake of Jose Mourinho's departure from the club earlier this month following reports that he, along with Diego Costa and Eden Hazard, had actively worked to undermine the manager in his final weeks.
But when asked about Fabregas' future during his news conference to preview Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, Hiddink replied:
"I think we need all the players until the end of the season. Chelsea is still in a position where we need to improve a lot in the table and we need all the players. We don't talk and we don't go into rumours.
Asked if Fabregas is happy at Chelsea, the Dutchman continued: "Yeah, he's coming in [to training] with a smile and that's what I always like."
Hiddink also confirmed that Fabregas is back in contention for a starting spot following the illness that kept him out of Monday's goalless draw with United.
"Cesc was this in morning and he trained," the Chelsea boss confirmed. "We played a game against the academy and he played the full game. He's out of his temperature problems."
Talks between Chelsea and Montreal Impact striker Didier Drogba over a potential return to Stamford Bridge are ongoing and while he declined to give an update on the progress of the discussions, Hiddink revealed he would prefer the Ivorian to work directly with the first-team squad rather than assuming an ambassadorial role.
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