Jackson netted nine Premier League goals by mid-December to help us rise to second in the table. He has not scored since, but was not helped by a two-month absence from the pitch because of a hamstring injury.

On his return to the side, against Tottenham at the start of this month, he immediately showed his value to the team, with his direct running and hold-up play causing Tottenham’s defence plenty of problems.

‘It’s not easy to come back from injury so right now I am trying to,’ says Jackson.

‘I’m trying to get back to my level, trying to push, because we have important games and I need to be at my best, so I’m pushing now and training hard.’

Jackson says his confidence has been boosted by recent comments made by Enzo Maresca that the Senegalese striker is his ‘perfect number nine’.

‘I saw that,’ he smiles. ‘I just do my work and if the coach says what he thinks, I just work and the team help me, fighting for the team. I hope he is playing me and believing in me. I’m very happy with that.

‘I know what I can do and what I cannot do. He will say I know what I can do in the pitch. I am happy, and that makes me want to fight for him and try to make him be where he wants to be, and where the club wants to be.’

That is competing in next season’s Champions League. To do that, we need to finish in the top five of a congested table.

There are six league games remaining, starting with today’s short trip to play Fulham. The Cottagers defeated us on home soil back on Boxing Day, and Jackson is determined to turn the tables this time around.

‘That was a painful one, because we never want to lose London derbies,’ stresses the 23-year-old.

‘We have to forget about that, come back and get the three points. That’s what we want, we want to fight to be somewhere important for next year. To do that we have to fight at the weekend.

‘Every game in the Premier League is not easy. It doesn’t matter if it’s Fulham or anyone. It’s going to be difficult. We know it, we need to prepare, fight for each other, fight for the coach, fight for the club and win the game.’

Jackson is adamant the Chelsea squad have faith that we can finish in a Champions League position. He recognises there have been ups and downs this term but is confident our domestic and European ambitions can be realised in the coming weeks.

‘We believe because we have been there all season. We are still there and to be top four I’m sure if we win all the games we will be there. We need to focus on ourselves, believe in the coach and fight for the team.

‘If we win the Conference League we are the first club in history to win all European trophies. That’s a good achievement. We try to finish top four, win the Conference and go to the Club World Cup, and see what happens from there.’

For now, though, it’s all about Fulham. An intriguing west London derby awaits.