Sunderland striker wants forward role

Last updated : 21 February 2008 By TBC
The former-Newcastle man, who recently became a father, has been forced to ply his trade on the right of midfield for much of this season as an injury to wide-man Carlos Edwards has left a gap in the Sunderland squad.

Although willing to play anywhere, Chopra feels it's time he was giving a role up-front after only featuring in his preferred position for 15 minutes against Wigan.

"I was delighted when the manager told me I was starting up front against Wigan in the last match," Chopra told the Sunderland Echo.

"But then Roy O'Donovan went off in the first 15 minutes and I could see Rade Prica warming up on the side of the pitch. I was thinking 'Oh, please don't put me on the right wing'.

"I'll play anywhere in the team as long as I'm playing, but I would like to play up front more times than not because that's my preferred position and that's where I think I do myself justice.

"But if the manager needs me to do a job on the right or the left, I'll be happy to do that."