The Blues launch the defence of their Barclays Premier League title on 14th August but first face arch rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Ferreira has been on extended leave following his involvement in the World Cup finals for Portugal and Wednesday's friendly against Hamburg represents only his second outing of pre-season.

And despite the first competitive match of the season on the horizon, Ferreira says he would rather be on the pitch in an attempt to regain full fitness.

"It is important that we get to play against Hamburg, we want to start the season well," Ferreira explained to the club's official website. "And after this game we still have a few days to work really well for Manchester United on Sunday.

"It is another important game and we want to be in good shape. The group is like it always is, everybody is happy and we are doing a good pre-season so far.

"I am feeling much better, us players who came from the World Cup started after the others but we have worked hard to catch up and after one week of work you begin to feel much better."

The 31-year-old's involvement in the World Cup means time off has been scarce for the right-back, who helped the Blues to the Barclays Premier League title last season.