Carlo Ancelotti insists Eden Hazard has an 'important' role to play for Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti believes Eden Hazard can make a significant impact at Real Madrid in the second half of the season.

Since moving to the Bernabeu, Hazard has had to deal with a number of injury setbacks which have restricted him to just 72 appearances for the Spanish giants in over three years.

He started just one LaLiga match in the first part of the season prior to the World Cup, but Ancelotti has been impressed with Hazard's condition since he returned from Qatar and has backed him to show his true worth to Madrid when the Spanish champions resume their title defence.

'I see him well. He has trained well. I see him better than before the World Cup, it's true,' Ancelotti said when talking about Hazard in his pre-match press conference ahead of Madrid's league clash with Valladolid on Friday.

'I'm sure that with all the games we have ahead of us, Hazard is going to be important.'

Despite his lack of game time in the lead up the World Cup, Hazard still started Belgium's opening two games against Canada and Morocco.

He was dropped by Roberto Martinez for their final group game with Croatia, though, and Belgium were knocked out before the knockout rounds after being held to a goalless draw by their European rivals.

Hazard subsequently announced his retirement from international football, having scored 33 goals in 126 matches for his country.

The 31-year-old's full focus is now on breaking back into the Madrid starting line-up, but he looks to have his work cut out with Vinicius Jr currently preferred on the left wing in Ancelotti's team.

Hazard has 18 months left on his Madrid contract, and the second half of the campaign looks set to be crucial in determining whether he has a long-term future at the club.