Chopra Burns His Bridges?

Last updated : 24 October 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

The Toon fans have always given him the benefit of the doubt, but he could be in for a bumpy ride at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The 24-year-old spent half his life on the books at the St James' Park club as he emerged from the schoolboy ranks.

Chopra: "I thought I deserved a lot more chances than I got.

"I don't know if that was because of the managers or whatever, but I thought going into training, working hard in training, stuff like that, I just thought I was going to get more of an opportunity.

"When the time came and they offered me a new contract, I decided to step away from it and get out of the club before I destroyed my career any more.

"I have been fortunate to play with some great players, some top-class internationals - Michael Owen, Alan Shearer, Patrick Kluivert, and now I am training with Djibril Cisse and people like that.

"I have no doubt that what the manager is doing with this club, he will be bringing more top international players in.

"You can only learn and you can only get better picking up different things from all these top players.

"I went for food with Shola the other day and I was speaking to him about the game on Saturday and winding him up.

"But I was pleased for him that he managed to get a goal because that's his first goal in a couple of years.

"I know he has had a lot of injuries, but it is always pleasing when you can get a goal."