Aaron Ramsey injury: Arsenal midfielder refuses to rule out comeback in FA Cup semi-final against Wigan

Ramsey has not featured since the December 26th victory over West Ham after suffering a thigh strain

Aaron Ramsey insists he never doubted his own ability after becoming Arsenal's stand-out star this season (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has not ruled himself out of the FA Cup semi-final with Wigan next weekend with reports suggesting the midfielder could be nearing a return to fitness, having not made an appearance since Boxing Day.

Ramsey suffered a thigh strain in the 3-1 victory over West Ham towards the end of 2013 initially ruled the in-form Welshman out for six weeks, but two separate setback since then has seen him confined to the sidelines as Arsenal’s season has slipped into disarray.

While Ramsey has been missing, Arsenal have seen their Premier League title challenge fade rapidly, and they are now face a real battle for fourth with Everton – their opponents this weekend.

Ramsey’s delayed return has been put down to the build-up of scar tissue surrounding the injured area, although that has not stopped him signing a new contract that bumped his weekly salary up to £90,000-a-week across the next five years.

Arsenal are hopeful that he will make a return to full training by the end of the week, though he will not be considered for the crucial match at Goodison Park this weekend. With just four points separating the Gunners from the Toffees having played a game more, Arsenal know they can’t afford to slip-up on their trip to Merseyside, with defeat giving Everton the impetus in the battle for fourth in that they would beat Arsenal to Champions League qualification if they won all of their remaining matches.

The FA Cup run to the semi-finals has lifted some of the pressure off manager Arsene Wenger, having seen his quest for a fourth Premier League title fall apart in the heavy defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea.

Next Saturday’s semi-final against holders Wigan could see the return of Ramsey, although whether the midfielder would be match fit remains unknown having not played for more than three months.

Should he show no signs of a reaction once he returns to training, Wenger will look to include the 23-year-old for the trip to Wembley to take on the Latics and try an dbook their first FA Cup final appearance since the 2005 success.