Town boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that striker Michael Chopra has suffered a relapse in his battle against his well-publicised gambling problem. The Blues striker, who was left on the bench for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace, has spent the last three weeks in the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire.

Jewell said: “Michael Chopra’s got a problem, it’s more than a problem, it’s an illness — gambling. There are people in this room, me included, who are no angels and luckily we’ve come through them.

“He has a big problem, an illness, and we knew that when we signed him. We didn’t quite realise the extent of it but credit to Michael for doing something about it.

“After the Brighton game he was admitted into the Sporting Chance clinic where he’s been for three weeks, only allowed out to play matches with no training.

“He played at Cardiff and scored, against Portsmouth where the team didn’t do so well and I thought Crystal Palace was a step too far to play him considering what he’d been going through.”

The Blues boss asked fans to back the 27-year-old in his fight: “I’d ask people to respect his honesty. He’s met it head on, he’s trying his best, he’s been as low as he can be.

“Now he’s feeling great about himself because he knows he’s got the support of the club, the team and I would ask our great supporters, and I’m sure they will, to help Michael through this tough, tough time, and the more support he gets, the quicker he will get better.”

Jewell knows it’s going to be a long process but says he can already see signs of progress: “We know it isn’t going to happen overnight, but already I can see in his eyes a huge relief. He’s opened up his heart, he’s opened up on all his problems. We know how we need to make him better.

“It’s a very sad case but at the same time heart-warming. It’s not easy when you’re in a male environment to stand up in front of people and admit you’ve got serious problems and that you’re ill and trying to do something about it.

“I know from other people’s experiences, you need people around you to help you. We’re there for him and we want the supporters to be there for him.

“But at the same time he’s has to come to the party and help himself. Hopefully, he’s on the road to recovery and to having a great career at Ipswich.”

The striker is now back at the club and was one of a number of players running round the Playford Road training ground with fitness coach Andy Liddell this morning. Jewell says the former Cardiff and Sunderland man will be in the side for Saturday's game at Millwall.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

bishops_hill added 09:59 - Oct 27 My money would be on him pulling through...
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derbytractoryboy added 10:00 - Oct 27 We all back you Chops, it is a horrible thing to deal with no matter who you are. You are at the right club to be behind you 100%, and I'm sure all the supporters are too!! Keep your chin up and keep banging the goals in for the Super Blues!!
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blueoff added 10:01 - Oct 27 What's the betting he scores Saturday, oh !
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chiddley added 10:01 - Oct 27 hence the reduced transfer fee
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textbackup added 10:03 - Oct 27 good old chops... speaking to a cardiff fan on twitter it would appear this would have been why we got him so cheap as he needed a new area etc to get away from what he'd become whilst there. good luck to him
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northdevonblue added 10:03 - Oct 27 100% behind chops, get it beaten mate and get back to banging the goals in.
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KenDubZ added 10:04 - Oct 27 Chopra you will love it Saturday listen to us signing your song :) and laught at Carlos Edwards song oh wait that might be yours too ;)
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Big_Foot_Blue added 10:04 - Oct 27 "He likes a drink he likes a bet but who gives a fu*k when the balls in the net, MICHAEL CHOPRA IPSWICH NUMBER10!" The whole club is behind you Chops! Wishing you well and hopefully you can fire us to the premier league and be our new Marcus Stewart! Serious respect for your honesty and good luck for your recovery sir.
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legoman added 10:10 - Oct 27 Is it the better he will get quicker. Or the quicker he will get better. Or the quicker the better will get better. Or the better the better will get quicker?
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HighgateBlue added 10:11 - Oct 27 It seems to me that jewell has dealt with this brilliantly, both in terms of deciding which games it would be appropriate for Chops to play in, and also in terms of when to make it public (I assume the latter was done in consultation with the player himself). I do wonder whether this might be the reason why Cardiff were willing to let him go on the cheap? Either way, he's a real talent, and I'm sure we're all behind him.

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EdJK added 10:13 - Oct 27 Best of luck getting through this Chops, we are all behind you 100%.
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brogansnose added 10:13 - Oct 27 It's a massive personal step for Michael to accept his problems and seek help. It will be a long hard road to recovery but all the best ole mate. And being well handled by Jewell too.
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irishtim added 10:15 - Oct 27 best of luck chops we r all supporting you
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Southamptonblue added 10:15 - Oct 27 Good luck Michael.
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CornardBlue added 10:27 - Oct 27 I am sure all football fans wish Chops well.
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WeirdFishes added 10:38 - Oct 27 We love you chopra!
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BwoodBlue added 11:15 - Oct 27 No wonder he was so cheap - he was literally a gamble(r). Mixed feelings - appreciate he's trying to sort himself out but clearly weak willed for getting himself into it
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dude added 11:22 - Oct 27 BwoodBlue - "clearly weak willed for getting himself into it". You know nothing. Button it.
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Surco72 added 11:22 - Oct 27 Well handled by club and good luck to you Chops we will benefit no end when you have fully recovered
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roytheboy added 11:26 - Oct 27 Every man will make mistakes and create problems throughout their lives, however it takes a real man to admit them and try to make the changes necessary in order to overcome them, I admire Michael for his honesty and efforts to rehabilitate, he has my 100% support, he is also an exceptional footballer and I'm happy that he plays for us.
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SouperJim added 11:33 - Oct 27 Chopra has had this problem for a long time, if it was a factor in Cardiff's asking price then surely they would have had our arm off at £3m last Janurary. 5 goals already this season with this on his plate so I'm not hugely concerned. We're right behind you Michael.
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BwoodBlue added 11:33 - Oct 27 Dude - what do you know that I don't? That you're as weak willed as he is?
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clive_baker added 11:41 - Oct 27 THERE'S ONLY 1 MICHAEL CHOPRA!!
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BlueCuppaTea added 11:41 - Oct 27 Good luck Chops we're all behind you! Everyone has demons to face but it is clear the club, the players and the fans are supporting you, I am proud to know my club looks after it's players beyond the realm of football as all good employers should. We supported Luca and we will support Chopra the same.
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SammyT added 11:45 - Oct 27 To the tune of the Animals went into the Ark, two by two "He gets the ball he scores a goal, Chopra, Chopra" "He plays week in, he plays week out, Chopra, Chopra" "He likes a beer and he liked to bet, but who gives a f**k when the balls in the net" "Michael Chopra Ipswich Number ten" "la la la la la la la la, la la, la la, "la la la la la la la la, la la, la la" Love you Chops, nothing but 100% support all the way, good luck.

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