Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has admitted that his side must be wary of Watford striker Odion Ighalo when the two teams meet at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

Ighalo has scored 12 goals in 17 Premier League games this season, but Mikel, who has played alongside the Hornets forward on international duty with Nigeria, insists that he is not surprised by the form of the former Granada man.

The 28-year-old told the club's official website: "I am not surprised Odion Ighalo is doing what he is doing. I have chatted with him and played with him in the national team and I can see the talent he has, and even before I have the ball in those games he is already making his run.

"He is a player who likes to exploit the space behind the defence and is a good finisher around the box. He is someone we need to watch out for."

Chelsea currently sit 10 points adrift of Watford in the Premier League table.