Cardiff Will Miss The Geordie Wizard

Last updated : 21 March 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
And their promotion push has been hit hit after it was confirmed ex-Newcastle striker Michael Chopra has been ruled out for the next four matches.

The Geordie boy has been their talisman this season and the Bluebirds missed him dreadfully when he injured early in the season. The Newcastle-born striker has netted 21 goals so far this season, but was injured during the 3-1 defeat at Derby at the weekend and results of a hospital scan have confirmed the worst.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale (not the most popular name in Leeds these days): "Michael has a hamstring injury and medical staff say he could be out for a month".

He is expected to miss the home matches against Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City, plus the Easter Monday trip to Burnley.

Obviously the visit of Sunderland would have added extra spice, and Chopra did say at the start of the season it was the fixture he looked for first when the fixture list came out in the summer.

Newcastle career: 1999-06 Michael Chopra
Born in Newcastle a graduated through the ranks. Striker who was small for a striker but proved a great success in the lower leagues when on loan at Watford (where he reached the FA Cup semi-finals), Nottingham Forest and Barnsley. Spent the majority of the 2004/5 season at Oakwell wher he scored 17 goals. Left Newcastle for Cardiff in 2006 for a bargain £500,000.