Didier Drogba is desperate to show Guus Hiddink, who officially begins his role as Chelsea manager today, that he warrants a place in the starting line-up.

The Ivory Coast striker has struggled for form and fitness this season and was a peripheral figure in the team under Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was sacked last week.

"When you are sidelined for four months like I was, and then you return and get injured again, it isn't easy," Drogba said. "The important thing for me now is simply to be on the pitch. It is up to me to show that I deserve to be on the pitch. I hadn't lost my instincts, I just lacked matches.

"If you want to improve your condition, it is better to be on the pitch. Training is all well and good but playing for 90 minutes is better."

Drogba and Nicolas Anelka combined well during the FA Cup victory over Watford on Saturday, with the Frenchman scoring a hat-trick. And Drogba believes the pair can combine well as an attacking partnership.

"There is something between us," Drogba said. "We are both quite intelligent players who know how to play together and create spaces for one another.

"It is a long time since he scored and then he scores three, three real striker's goals. I hope that will provide him with a boost, because the team needs him."