Luiz enjoys break from training

David Luiz is delighted at Chelsea's congested fixture schedule - as it reduces the amount of training.

The business end of the season begins in earnest for Rafael Benitez's side after the international break, with six games in 16 days, including the FA Cup quarter-final replay with Manchester United, the Europa League last-eight tie with Russia's Rubin Kazan and three Premier League fixtures culminating in a London derby with top-four rivals Tottenham.

"Personally for me it is amazing," the Brazil defender said ahead of Sunday's clash with West Ham. "I like to play games. I don't like to train, it's boring sometimes. I love to play games, so if I had to play every day I would want to. You need to rest sometimes but I prefer to play games than training, for sure."

If Chelsea defeat United at Stamford Bridge on Easter Monday, prevail over Rubin in Europe and go on to reach the finals of both competitions, their season would stretch to 70 fixtures.

Luiz added: "I want to play. I want to be on the pitch. Sometimes I am tired, but when I'm on the bench I'm not tired. I love to play football."

This week the momentum appears to be in Chelsea's favour after coming from two goals down to draw at Old Trafford before beating Steaua Bucharest 3-1 to overcome a first-leg deficit.

Now the focus is on the Hammers, who inflicted the first defeat of Benitez's tenure at Upton Park in December.

"I want to end this week with a great result on Sunday," Luiz said.

"It's a difficult game but we play at home and we need to win."