Blues boss Mick McCarthy has told Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to show that they are worth a place in his team. The duo have been on the bench for the new manager’s first two games, the former Arsenal man making a brief appearances as a sub in both matches.
McCarthy says Chopra came to see him for a chat on Friday morning: "I’ve just had words with him, he just came to see me. I said ‘Get in my team’.
"He was just seeing the position, we’ve been here a week and we’ve had two games. He wants to play, and I’m happy. My door’s open for players who want to come and play.”
He says the former England U21 international has always impressed him: "I’ve come here and I hear all the stories about him, whatever it might be.
"I remember him and I know him as Michael Chopra playing against my teams — always a threat, always a goalscorer. Prove to me you should be in the team.”
McCarthy is confident that he can get the best out of the striker: "I hope so, I generally do.
"Players that have played for me, I think you’d find if you went around most would come and play for me again. There would be one or two that wouldn’t but I wouldn’t want them either.”
He was pleased with Chopra’s performance in the 1-0 U21 defeat to Swansea on Wednesday: "I thought Michael Chopra did really well in the U21s.
"I was pleased with his work ethic, with his link-up play. He’s not been playing so he’s not right at it.”
Chopra himself has tweeted that he and the rest of the squad are determined to get the Blues out of the relegation zone: "The players will do all they can for this club.
"It’s a great football club to play for and, believe me, come the end of season, Ipswich Town will not be in the bottom three.”
As for Emmanuel-Thomas, McCarthy says he’s being put through his paces at Playford Road: "He’s getting worked, he’s having work from Terry Connor in front of goal.
"He’s another one who’s got to get in my team. I know all about his ability — prove it, get in the team.”
The new boss added: "It’s amazing at a football club, it’s always the same, the best players are always not playing.
"And then they come and knock on your door, you play them and then you remember that they’re not the best players, because they’re not.
"It’s like when they’re on the bench sat behind you. Everybody’s always the best player, then you put them on and you realise they’re not the best players.
"Get in the team, stay in, prove to me, prove to everybody else. It’s a great job that, I’d love that, if you’re the best, you stay in the team. I generally try to pick the best team, not the worst team.”