Chopra, like Allon, has been a revelation playing in the Reserve League, but has failed to make the step up. His contract expires at the end of the season and there is a list of Championship clubs waiting to pounce and secure Chopra's services should he be released. Promotion-chasing Sheffield United and Watford have long admired his skills, and could even offer him Premiership football next season.
Allon was released by Willie McFaul back in 1987 but played at the highest level with Chelsea.
Allon: "Michael probably hasn't got as many goals as he would have liked in the first team but I still haven't given up on him. He just needs to keep plugging away like he has been doing and knocking them in for the reserves.
"He's kept his head up and I am sure he will keep battling it out between now and the end of the season for some first-team action. It's OK getting rid of players but if you haven't got people to replace them you've got a problem. When I left it broke my heart and there was talk of so-called quality replacements coming in.
"But can you call George Reilly and Tony Cunningham quality replacements?"
"Michael has done ever so well with his loan spells at Barnsley and Watford, so he has already proved he can do it at that level. Sometimes you have to take a step back in football but that may be too early for him just now, you don't know. It was one of my biggest regrets being showed the door at Newcastle but sometimes you have to be big enough to take those decisions."