Hazard's father springs to defence of Chelsea player over injury allegations

Eden Hazard's father has dismissed reports the Chelsea star faked an injury during the club's defeat to Leicester City on Monday.

Hazard left the field at the King Power Stadium after just half an hour with an apparent hip injury, which he sustained following a challenge by Jamie Vardy.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho suggested after the game, which Chelsea lost 2-1, he was unsure how injured the Belgium international was.

Hazard's father Thierry has now said the 24 year old forward should be back in action soon.

"These are stories that are invented when things go bad. Do you really think Eden would feign an injury in such an important match? No, he really hurt his hip," he told Het Nieuwsblad.

"He's still pretty cool underneath. Every footballer has such periods of adversity. Eden will continue to work hard. For Mourinho, yes. They really are still the same."

When then questioned about how long Hazard could be out injured for, he added: "It's difficult to estimate, but let's hope he's playing again soon."