Manager Mick McCarthy insists that striker Michael Chopra isn’t out of his Portman Road plans, despite the former England U21 international having featured for just 12 minutes since he took over at Town.

Chopra, introduced from the bench late on at Leicester on Saturday, has been a sub in each of McCarthy’s four games in charge but the new Blues boss, who admits he knows little of the striker’s off-field issues, says he rates the former Newcastle, Sunderland and Cardiff man highly.

“I’ve a lot of time for Chops,” he said. “And certainly in terms of his ability he’s been one of the really good Championship players over the last few years. I’d like to get that happening again.

“I actually don’t know about his problems. I just want to see him on the pitch. I’ve watched him in training. He’s one of the best players here, there’s no doubt about that.

“Why he’s not been in the team is for other people. I’m seeing what he’s doing and I’ve been impressed with him.

“But in DJ Campbell we’ve got Johnny on the spot at the minute, who is sticking the ball in the net, and I think Murph playing up front with him is a good foil for him.”

That partnership may be set to change with Tyrone Barnett coming in on loan yesterday, although the Peterborough striker isn’t available for Saturday’s game against his parent club.

McCarthy says Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is also in the increasingly fierce competition for places up front: “Another one who is a really talented player and I’m going to try to get the best out of him as well. He can give us more, there’s no doubt. We will get the best out of him.

“Terry Connor’s worked with him, more as a centre forward. He’s done a lot of work with him already.”

Photo: Action Images

h32 added 18:49 - Nov 20 bluelady - good post.
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bluey123 added 19:08 - Nov 20 Sorry Mick your first mistake Chopra is not wanted at the club his attitude to supporters is at best awful no heart for the club no effort and a complete waste of space get rid of in Jan Please
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TimmyH added 19:15 - Nov 20 Not quite sure why supporters think all of a sudden he's going to pick his game up as MM has arrived, let's face he's struggled to be consistent since he arrived (he had reasonable patches last season and then droughts). Personally thinks his best years are behind him.
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Talbs77 added 19:16 - Nov 20 I agree bluey123 that Chopra's attitude leaves a lot to be desired, his tweets to the fans in pj's last days were an absolute disgrace, theres no doubt he has a flawed character. However he is an Ipswich player and I agree with MM, he's one of the best players in the squad (certainly the best striker) and we need him to get back to where he was for the clubs sake. I welcome MM comments as he's trying to get him doing what he's paid good money to do, score goals. Whether we like it or not we need Chopra as much as he needs us, he's definately in footballs last chance saloon.

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Michael11 added 19:29 - Nov 20 JET and Chops partnership up front could be interesting!
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Surco72 added 19:36 - Nov 20 16 goals in about 45 starts ? playing mainly upfront on own in a struggling side over last two seasons . I would say that is not a bad record for someone with off field problems also ,could do a proper job for us 2nd half of season played as a two up top . Highest goalscorer since Bent ?
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SomershamBlue added 20:16 - Nov 20 I hope MM is right. Time will tell..
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Karlosfandangal added 20:30 - Nov 20 Blueherts Like your think we could play 0-0-10 would scare any defence in the country, big question would be who do we play in goal
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bobble added 20:37 - Nov 20 at least mick knows what the problem is ............
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scotty2hottyITFC added 20:41 - Nov 20 Where are the goals then?
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itfcjc added 21:16 - Nov 20 Good way to put him in the shop window Keep it up mick
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BuckieBlue added 22:21 - Nov 20 Both Chops and Jet have had attitude issues, but on the surface Jet seems much better bet (no pun intended)- younger, less baggage, more room for improvement, but still have hope that MM could get more out of Chops.
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Stan added 22:43 - Nov 20 Don't care how much his toes can twinkle - his attitude stinks. We need rid of this baggage.
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R_LAMB3 added 01:02 - Nov 21 Mick you are right he his a very good player but we are missing out on his talent because his head is not right and he is so screwed up at the moment. He has got so much going on in his private life and he cant seperate the two and he is taking his troubles to work with him. When he is on the pitch playing football. If he could just forget about everything else for ninety minutes and just think football he would score us loads of goals but i dont suppose its as easy as that. I love chopra and i hope he sorts himself out and get his shooting boots back on and prove that his knockers are wrong. Starting this week get us a hattrick chops and the fans will soon start to sing your name again THREE POINTS THIS WEEK TOWN PLEASE.

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h32 added 18:39 - Nov 21 ...... most professional players are paid so much in today's game, behaviour and attitude problems are of little concern to them. Upholding their Clubs image, or their own reputation is of minor consideration - oh how the game has changed - and not for the better, that's for sure. Only people who lose out - are the punters thro' the pocket.
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greentractorboy added 15:15 - Nov 22 chopra out now
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