Chopra going nowhere – Keane

Mar 24 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane has admitted he rejected an approach from Dave Jones to take goal-hero Michael Chopra back to Cardiff and insisted the player “is going nowhere”.

Chopra completed a £5m move from the Bluebirds to the Stadium of Light last summer, but he had failed to score from open play for seven months before his winner at Aston Villa on Saturday.

Cardiff manager Jones wanted to take him back to the FA Cup semi-finalists to bolster their outside promotion hopes.

But Keane has knocked back their interest and believes Chopra can deliver goal-power for the Black Cats – if he is given the right sort of service.

Keane said, “How close was Chopra to going back to Cardiff? I can tell you it wasn’t speculation. I get phone calls about lots of my players – but Michael is going nowhere.

“I admire Dave Jones for chancing his arm.

“There is nothing wrong with that. David got a very polite no from me – just like he was very helpful to me when I was trying to buy Chopra last summer.”

Chopra took advantage of hesitancy between Villa central defender Zat Knight and goalkeeper Scott Carson to grab his fourth goal of the campaign with seven minutes to go against Martin O’Neill’s side.

It was a great response from Chopra after he was left out of the 16 beaten 1-0 at home by Chelsea the previous weekend.

“We know if we create chances, Michael will score,” Keane said.

“There is no doubt about that, but obviously we’ve not been creating enough and in defence of him, I’ve been playing him out of position, wide right.

“Maybe the criticism against Michael has been slightly unfair, but everyone, myself and the staff, are delighted with him.”

Chopra’s cool strike earned Sunderland their first away win of the season and lifted them four points clear of the bottom three.

Newcastle captain Michael Owen is refusing to hide as he attempts to drag the club to safety.

The 28-year-old claimed his eighth goal of the season in the Magpies’ vital 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Fulham – giving Kevin Keegan his first win in charge – a result which saw them climb to 13th place with a six-point cushion to the drop zone.

Spurs boss Juande Ramos changed the game against Portsmouth with his substitutes. Darren Bent headed the opener then set up fellow replacement Jamie O’Hara for the second for a 2-0 win

The 17th-minute sending-off of Christopher Samba could have seen Blackburn Rovers struggle against Wigan, but Mark Hughes’ bold approach undoubtedly won them the game striker Roque Santa Cruz scoring twice in a 3-1 win.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is convinced his side can still shine on the biggest stage after a low-key win over doomed Derby at the Riverside Stadium. Tuncay Sanli’s 32nd-minute strike was enough to virtually end Boro’s relegation fears.

Robert Earnshaw could have snatched a point, the Rams striker heading a simple chance wide five minutes from time.