Striker Michael Chopra expressed his delight at netting in Town’s opening pre-season friendly at Helmond Sport on Tuesday and insisted that his target of 25 to 30 goals in the new season is a realistic one.

The 28-year-old was pleased to get off the mark during the 1-1 draw with the Dutch Eerste Divisie side: “Obviously delighted, especially with how my summer’s gone and things like that.

“I’m feeling sharp and I’m feeling fit, probably the best I’ve been for four years, thanks to the club and the gaffer. I appreciate what they’ve done for me and I’m just trying to repay them now on the pitch.”

He says he thoroughly enjoyed his spell at the $4,500-a-week Ashram Healthort in Calabasas, California and intends on visiting it again in the future: “It was amazing. Some of the things I was doing out there I wouldn’t even have thought about doing.

“It was a great experience for me and I’ll probably go again because I enjoyed it, I lost a lot of weight [3kg] and when I came I was in good shape. The main thing starts now and we’re building up to the first game of the season.”

After returning from the resort, Chopra tweeted about his time there and posted a large number of photos. He says he enjoys using the medium as a way of keeping fans in touch: “It’s a lot easier for people to follow you and to get in touch with you, to read what’s going on in your life and things like that.

“I’ve posted a lot of pictures on there about what I was doing. I wanted people to know how hard I was working off-season, trying to get fit. I just want to do well for this football club and judging by what I’ve done so far and what the manager’s said about me, I’m going in the right direction.”

The ex-Newcastle, Cardiff and Sunderland man says he’s beginning to put his off-field issues behind him, which is allowing him to focus more on his football: “Everyone knows what’s happened in the past but I’ve got to look to the future now, and that’s doing well at Ipswich and repaying important people who have stood by me and things like that.

“It would have been easy for the football club and the manager just to wash their hands of me but they’ve stood by me and I’m grateful for what they’ve done and hopefully I can kick on.”

Recently on Twitter, the former England U21 international revealed his intention to score 25 to 30 goals in the coming season, an ambitious target he admits but one he believes is realistic if he’s at the top of his form: “I’ve got a lot of belief in my ability. I scored 14 goals last year and, believe me, it was probably the worst season I’ve had with things off the pitch, and things on the pitch really.

“For me to score 14 goals and to play at such a bad standard in my eyes, I believe that when I’m playing well and I’m at my best and if I’m fit, I can get 25 to 30.”

Manager Paul Jewell has signalled his intention to bring in another striker with Derby man Steve Davies believed to be top of his list, but Chopra says he’s not overly concerned who he partners as long as he’s in the side himself: “I’m not really bothered who I’m up front with as long as I’m on the teamsheet.

“I was disappointed to be left out of certain games last year and it’s down to me to make sure my name’s first on the teamsheet every week, and I can do that by playing well.

“Whatever formation the manager wants to play, I’ll welcome it. If he wants to bring in another striker, then so be it. But I’ve got to make sure I’m first on the teamsheet.”

Chopra will be looking to add to that goal against Helmond Sport when the Blues take on Den Bosch at their training ground this evening in their second and final pre-season friendly in Holland (KO 7pm local time). The squad return to the UK tomorrow.

Photo: Action Images

mugsykets added 08:10 - Jul 19 Hope he's right!
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commuterblue added 08:12 - Jul 19 BRING IT ON
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rayman_10 added 08:25 - Jul 19 One of the best strikers in this league around at the moment! If he's fit and up for it, could easily be one of the highest scores in this division. Go on Chops!
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bluegc added 08:31 - Jul 19 Go on Chops!!! "and things like that"
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irishtim added 08:39 - Jul 19 If he scores that many,then what a season we have in store. What price is he to be championship top scorer?
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:40 - Jul 19 Well Chops is certainly sounding positive and happy generally so that is encouraging.He has the ability to achieve his target.So come on Chops, Town needs another ''legend'' dont be just another leg end . COYB
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jlcollins added 08:52 - Jul 19 Watched the game on you tube last night, and he is looking alot fitter and sharper than last season, I really rate chops!! Quality players like him can get alot of goals if they stay fit, I beleve in ya chops!!! COYB!!!!!!!
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BlueAllOver added 09:03 - Jul 19 Irishtim - Chopra 18-1 with Skybet, Favourite at the minute at 8-1 Jordan Rhodes...... doh!
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bluelady added 09:13 - Jul 19 Glad he enjoyed the 4 k a week retreat, how awful if he had hated it! Seriously glad to see his mind is in the right place that's by far the biggest obstical
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brian_a_mul added 09:16 - Jul 19 Will be an interesting shootout between Rhodes and Chops! I'm already looking forward to the Huddersfield v Town games! Will be nice to see Jordan get a good reception before the game. 18-1 is a great bet for Chops! Thanks for the tip off Tim
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Mark added 09:17 - Jul 19 All Chopra's comments are as positive as they could be, which bodes well for the season. The California training camp was a good decision. I am feeling more comfortable about 2012/13 than I was a few weeks ago, and I think that the club is being well managed at the moment.
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gazzmac4 added 09:24 - Jul 19 Agree with @Mark on this one. Feeling very positive with the recent developments and looks to me like the club is handling everything as they should be. I for one was never on Jewells back too much but his handling of Lee Martin last year paid dividends and i also feel the clubs support of Chopra has been excellent. Yes it may have cost us a fair bit but if he pays us back the way we know he can then surely thats a good thing. All i need for a good two weeks now is for Scotty Loach to sign on that ditted line! COYB's.

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irishtim added 09:31 - Jul 19 @GuidePostBlue. Thans for that info. Good bet imo. Brian, Yes its a bet im going to have. ten quid bet at 18s.
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:33 - Jul 19 very true bluelady,this will be make or break season for him ,hero or zero.
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roytheboy added 09:47 - Jul 19 Fully behind you Michael.
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BoredWithThisNow added 10:18 - Jul 19 So that'll 20 in pre season with 5 - 10 in the Champ then if past form's anything to go by :-)
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Sindre94 added 10:38 - Jul 19 Think he can reach 20. Dont wanna lie I will be very surprised if he reaches 30
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yun added 11:07 - Jul 19 Lookin' light and lean, Chopsy. Stay off the pints and we'll be in the points!
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Garv added 11:48 - Jul 19 “It would have been easy for the football club and the manager just to wash their hands of me but they've stood by me and I'm grateful for what they've done and hopefully I can kick on.” You've got to credit Jewell and Evans for this. Well, the whole club really, even Cleggy. If Chops hits 18 I'll be pretty happy, so you can imagine how I'll feel if he scores 25-30! Really cannot see him reaching that target but it's good to see he's aiming high.

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Kesgraveblue57 added 12:15 - Jul 19 Sorry only in Michael Chopra dreams will he score 25-30 goals this season as Gary says I'll be happy at 18
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Surco72 added 13:15 - Jul 19 Last season Chopra was our highest league scorer since Alan Lee so would already have gone down as a good signing and an improvement on the previous managers expensive flops Stead ,Lisbie ,Priskin,Scotland so if he gets better again surely more credit to Jewell and co ?
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Pessimistic added 13:33 - Jul 19 Although I am on vacation in China and Thailand, which means I miss the pre-season games in the Netherlands, my love affair with this club is unrelenting and that is why I am delighted to read of Chops endeavours and if he is on form, he has the potential to reach the high twenties if he remains injury free of course.
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whittonite added 16:00 - Jul 19 perhaps he should have sent sonko as well!!!.... any houw,i think a fit and focused chops last season would have put us in the play offs.he missed some sitters last season that could have nicked some games for us. had he put those away he would have definitely had 20.come on chops you've talked the talk now lets see you walk the walk...coyb
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:03 - Jul 19 sorry surco, i think Scotland deserves more credit than that,i dont think anyone [except yourself perhaps] really expected him to bag 20 goals but in a season where nobody really shone he did ok .
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boodafrench added 18:22 - Jul 19 He's probably got a bet on it. Bom Tsh Thank you ladies and gentlemen, i'll be here all night.
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