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

SamPentas added 14:15 - Oct 27 If he can score when he hasn't trained and isn't feeling 100% because of this, just think what he can do after he's recovered! All the best to him and I'm sure everyone at the club will give you all the backing you need!
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TractorBeezer added 14:23 - Oct 27 I wish you well with your battle Chops...you can do it. And well done PJ and ITFC.
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arablue added 14:28 - Oct 27 Get well soon Michael. Channel your energy into scoring for Ipswich!
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SomershamBlue added 14:35 - Oct 27 Good luck to him. Whether you regard it as self-inflicted or not, it's clearly a problem for him and his family and the sooner he can overcome it the sooner we will see the best of him.
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ITFC4daprem added 14:38 - Oct 27 good luck chops hate to think what he would of been like if Keane was still here
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Bluejake added 14:42 - Oct 27 I know a bit about an addictive nature as a very close family member of mine did what Michael has just done (alcahol in this case) - he faced up to his demons, admitted to the world that he had a problem and set about doing the right things to make a full recovery, with the help, support and love of family, friends and professional guidance. Michael is doing the same thing and he will be stronger as a result of him going public. What we as supporters need to do (which I'm sure we will) is back him 100%, let him take things a day at a time, be understanding if he has a future blip but gets back on track again and mainly go manic with delight every time he sticks the ball in the for us! Keep fighting it Michael - you'll come through in the end.

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Garv added 14:48 - Oct 27 @ITFC4daprem - actually Keane was the one who helped him out when the had the same problem at Sunderland. I remember him saying he owed Keane a lot thats half the reason he was linked so strongly with us last summer. As much as I don't like Keane it has to be said. Can't help thinking that Chops doesn't need all the publicity? Surely that can't help. Now every fan in the stands at away games will know about his problem (and I'm sure some will let him know about it) and I would have thought that will play on his mind. I suppose it will show how professional and focussed he can be, and good luck to him. In a way it sounds silly to call this a 'sad' story but it is.

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pegasus added 15:19 - Oct 27 The majority of comments indicate that ITFC supporters/twtd followers reckon that PJ and MC are dealing with this problem in a grown-up manner. Alcohol and gambling addiction are not unknown amongst professional footballers. And a couple of years ago severe depression led the German international goalkeeper Robert Enke to take his own life. Addictions and other mental illness need to be acknowledged openly, and its good to know that's what ITFC is doing. Garv's thought had crossed my mind, too, and the FA should deal with any offensive chanting directed at MC in the way that they are attempting to deal with racism and homophobia.

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thechangingman added 15:26 - Oct 27 I wish him all the best and yet I can't help thinking that it might have been better to have quietly gone about sorting out this issue. Who hasn't got problems? And no, nobody is perfect and yet when we are the cause of our own issues shouldn't we just dig in and sort them out. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to judge the bloke, really I don't. Just merely to say that in a time of HUGE financial problems for ALL of us, my first sympathies don't go to the super-rich, doing a job they love and then choosing to waste what they've gained... Thus endeth the sermon :) COYB!!!!!

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Bluetone added 15:42 - Oct 27 You can beat this one day at a time. Not your song but I think appropriate "When you walk through the storm; Hold your head up high; And don't be afraid of the dark; At the end of the storm; There's a golden sky; And the sweet silver song of the lark Walk on, through the wind Walk on, through the rain Though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone"

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Blueboy added 15:42 - Oct 27 I'm right behind you Chops!! Concentrate on your footie and it will help to banish the demons. COYB!
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Beanie6101 added 15:45 - Oct 27 BWoodBlue...... you are a prize plank my friend. I take it you don't have any vices at all to sit there on your moral high ground. Muppet.
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howdonblue added 15:53 - Oct 27 hear hear.. well said dude.. people should engage their brain before opening their mouths . the best of luck to you chops!!!!!!!!!
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BwoodBlue added 16:00 - Oct 27 To be fair unlike most of the anger merchants on here I am actually going to apologise because I have to admit to not having any first hand experience of gambling or indeed any other addiction. My comments were therefore probably a bit daft and unfair. I agree that we should all get behind him and like I said before, at least he's doing something about it
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BlueCuppaTea added 16:05 - Oct 27 Good apology BwoodBlue. Happily accepted!
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howdonblue added 16:18 - Oct 27 Well done bwoodblue ITS A RARITY ON HERE...
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jayceee added 16:57 - Oct 27 I bet he gets better soon.
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fourth added 17:05 - Oct 27 This Manager is amazing. He deals in Real Things. When large sections of the human race are in denial. A good Man-manager. Or if you like An honest man As for Chops....brilliant player taking first steps to stop repetitive habitual destructive behaviour. What great news
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fourth added 17:09 - Oct 27 This Manager is amazing. He deals in Real Things. When large sections of the human race are in denial. A good Man-manager. Or if you like An honest man As for Chops....brilliant player taking first steps to stop repetitive habitual destructive behaviour. What great news
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DiamondGezzer added 17:12 - Oct 27 Like alcaholism, they say that the first steps toward a recovery is to own up to your demons, having done so, hopefully he's now on the mend. Good luck throughout any of the bleak times ahead.
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Upbeat~ added 17:13 - Oct 27 Best of luck Chops, you've got a fantastic club, a quality manager (more importantly, an outstanding bloke), a close-knit squad and the football league behind you. You can definitely beat this, really well done for taking the first steps.
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ElvisMariner added 17:19 - Oct 27 Well said roytheboy...... all the best Chops - the Town fans are with you
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WarkyWonderLand added 17:34 - Oct 27 100% behind you chops as all town fans should be. A time to unite together. Where have all the player chants gone? North stand has gone quiet and atmosphere at PR non existant. In john lyall promotion season it was rocking. Given our league position let's get the atmosphere back. Coyb
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Dissboyitfc added 18:22 - Oct 27 Well said dude, it takes a big person to admit they need help and go get it, that makes him strong not weak. we all support you chops, well the supporters with half an ounce of sense do...... COYB
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BlueCuppaTea added 18:45 - Oct 27 Someone needs to make a banner for Saturday. Wish I was going
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