Michael Mancienne has returned to Chelsea Football Club.

The England Under-21 international has been in superb form for Wolverhampton Wanderers during a loan spell with the Championship club, which earned him recognition from Fabio Capello.

Mancienne was set to remain at Molineux until the end of January, but he has been recalled to Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad as the Blues look to make a push for honours this season.

This will merely heighten speculation that Brazilian defender Alex is set to leave Stamford Bridge, after earlier this season expressing a desire to move on for regular first team action.