Ramires targets World Cup spot with Brazil

Chelsea midfielder Ramires is determined to keep his place in the Brazil team and avoid missing out on another major tournament on home soil.

The 26-year-old is a regular at Stamford Bridge, but was not a part of the Samba Kings' successful Confederations Cup campaign in Brazil last year.

However, he has played in six of their last eight fixtures and is glad to be in Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans heading into the World Cup this summer.

He told ESPN Brazil: "Thank God I had the pleasure of participating in a positive way of a big part of our preparation for the World Cup, that makes me feel very honoured.

"We closed that stage with another win and now everyone will try to keep doing their best for their clubs until the final call up, which I hope to be part of."

Ramires has made 38 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions this season, scoring four goals.