Ramires Injury: Updates on Chelsea Midfielder's Abductor and Return

Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Ramires will be fit for selection when QPR visit Chelsea this weekend.

Chelsea's official Twitter passed along the news:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 29

Brazilian midfielder Ramires is set to boost Chelsea by returning from injury ahead of their clash with QPR.

Jose Mourinho said, per Dan Ripley of the Mail Online: "Without any further complications, Diego Costa and Ramires will be fit to face QPR at the weekend."

Chelsea posted a Vine of Ramires arriving for training on Wednesday:

"

Diego Costa and @Rami7oficial walking out to training earlier this morning... https://t.co/vRwLzbapPe #CFC

— Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) October 29, 2014"

Updates from Monday, Oct. 20

Ramires remains absent for Chelsea as they prepare to meet Maribor on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho confirmed the news:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

Chelsea has the latest on Ramires' status heading into the weekend:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 15

Ramires is closing in on a Chelsea return after taking part in training this week.

Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star reports:

"

Jose Mourinho has been handed a boost after Ramires and Didier Drogba returned to full training with Chelsea.

The duo had been ruled out with groin and ankle problems respectively, but are now set to return to the first-team squad

"

Updates from Friday, Oct. 3

Brazilian midfielder Ramires, as expected, will play no part in Sunday's clash between Chelsea and Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho confirmed, via Chelsea's official Twitter:

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 2

Andrew Downie of Reuters updated Ramires' status as he recovers from an injury, via The Daily Mail:

"

Chelsea midfielder Ramires has dropped out the Brazil squad for friendlies against Argentina and Japan and will be replaced by Souza of Sao Paulo, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday.

Defensive midfielder Souza, 25, will be joined by another uncapped player, Gremio goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, the CBF said.

"

Updates from Friday, Sept. 26

Ramires will not be back before the international break, according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

The Blues' official twitter delivered the latest:

Original Text

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is dealing with an abductor muscle injury that's going to force him to miss the club's Capital One Cup fixture with Bolton. The Blues are hoping it's not an ailment that will sideline him for a significant portion of time.

The club passed along the news from assistant manager Steve Holland:

Ben Dinnery of ESPN FC points out the injury is in the groin area and also that Chelsea were planning to rotate the squad for the Cup clash anyway:

The depth within the Blues' squad has made manager Jose Mourinho to utilize a sizable rotation in the early going. Ramires has played well, scoring a goal and adding three assists while appearing in four of the five Premier League games.

He's usually at his best in a lock-down defensive role thanks to his strong tackling sense, but has shown he can also transition into a playmaking central role when needed. That type of versatility ensures he'll see the pitch regularly when healthy despite the crowded squad.

As for when he'll return to full fitness, it seems like Chelsea is still waiting for a more definitive timetable. Muscle injuries are often tough to judge because a comeback depends heavily on how the body responds to increased work.

The Blues are hoping it's only minor. They have a busy schedule ahead. After the match with Bolton, they have a Premier League encounter against Aston Villa over the weekend followed by a Champions League match with Sporting Lisbon next week.

More information about Ramires' status for those fixtures should be available in the days ahead.