Ramires
is out of Chelsea's Capital One Cup third-round tie at home to Bolton with
an abductor muscle injury.
The Brazil midfielder was substituted during the second half of the Premier
League draw at Manchester City as a result of the minor problem, which will
be reviewed later this week.
Striker Diego Costa (hamstring) is unlikely to feature but goalkeeper Petr
Cech could start as manager Jose Mourinho plans to rotate his squad with
Premier League and Champions League matches to follow in the coming weeks.
New signing Chris Herd is likely to make his Bolton debut at Stamford
Bridge.
Herd has joined Wanderers from Aston Villa on a one-month loan deal and will
travel to London. The 25-year-old can play across the back four and Bolton
boss Dougie Freedman could put him in at right-back, with Kevin McNaughton
still short of full match fitness after a bout of illness.
With important Championship fixtures on the horizon, Freedman may opt to
utilise his squad for the third-round tie. Former Crewe striker Max Clayton
is available after signing on a three-year contract and the youngster could
be another to make his bow against the Blues.
Jermaine Beckford, Mark Davies, Neil Danns, Darren Pratley and Medo Kamara
are also options for Freedman.
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