Ipswich can cope without DJ Campbell if the 10-goal loan striker doesn't return from his parent club QPR, according to his Blues strike partner Daryl Murphy, who says Michael Chopra now has a chance to re-establish himself in the side. Campbell is due back in training with Rangers today ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against West Brom at Loftus Road.

Murphy, who has netted five times this season, said: “You have to have players who can step up when required. Basically, DJ has been scoring all the goals for us but we know Chops can do that too.

“He’s done it at every club he’s been at. He just hasn’t had so many chances recently because we’ve been playing so well and the gaffer has stuck with the same team.

“There’s more to our squad than the starting eleven. I’ve been in the same situation as Chops, as recently as last year, when the team was on a run and I wasn’t even getting on the bench.

“I know how frustrating it is and every time you get a chance you have to do your best. It’s happened for me with the gaffer — I was on the bench for a while and it’s not nice when you’re not playing.

“You’re pleased when the team wins but more than anything you want to be out there. It’s about working hard and taking your chance when it comes. I nicked a few goals as a sub and got back in the team.

“You just have to stick at it by working hard in training and trying to impress the gaffer. He looks for that sort of reaction from players and I think we’ve got a good bunch of lads here who do that. If Chops gets his chance it will be up to him to grab it and I think he definitely can.”

Photo: Action Images

Kesgraveblue57 added 10:52 - Jan 3 Chopra got to many problems both on and off the pitch, send him out on loan then try and forget him
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stinkiusminkius added 11:03 - Jan 3 Have we got a disproportionate number of negative, miserable supporters?
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SomershamBlue added 11:42 - Jan 3 Ah, so, those who voted down my earlier comment must think that Murphy is saying the wrong thing. So, should he be saying that we are all DOOOOMED, DOOOOMED, I TELL YE without DJ! That would do morale a power of good, wouldn't it? Or maybe they don't want Chopra to score more goals.
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Warky223611 added 11:57 - Jan 3 Check my blog, including my brigton match report, and my transfer window predictions + DJ CAMPBELL FUTURE http://xjoeking.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/ipswich-town-transfer-window-wishlist/
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blockb_steward added 12:11 - Jan 3 Despite his personal battles of the field, Chopra has a good striker's pedigree and we should hope that when given the chance he takes it. MM is still getting the best out of someone else's squad, it will be interesting to see who comes to Town over the next few weeks.
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BigginBlue added 13:29 - Jan 3 Although i truly back chopra and think he can be excellent again i would like to see one game go to jack Marriott. From the reports he's banging them in for the youth team, and if I remember rightly that's how Rhodes' Ipswich career began
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WickedBlue added 14:16 - Jan 3 @StuartBrett9 your point will be lost on most of these idiots who think tactics are a small mint.
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StuartBrett8 added 14:20 - Jan 3 nice ;)
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LordMamu added 15:15 - Jan 3 Mick has publicly and specifically said that we either need DJ back or he will sign a new striker. Patently he does not therefore think any existing player is capable of replacing him. Those of you who think Chopra or JET or whoever can fill the role presumably disgaree with MM then? It's not being negative or being miserable, it's called agreeing with the manager and being able to read!

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TractorRoyNo1 added 15:20 - Jan 3 shoes it is your turn to shine - huh?
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RetroBlue added 16:45 - Jan 3 well maybe my comments ref Murphy were a tad harsh. But if Im being honest they were driven by my overall view of the player since his arrival at this Club. Up until the last few weeks he has failed, IMO, to impress at all and often needs far too many chances to stick the ball in the net. As a target man , he's "ok", but again hardly devastatingly effective. Also we are perhaps likely to be far more predictable if we rely once again on a big man to lump the ball up to,. But I accept that is not actually Murphy's fault.

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SanDiego added 18:04 - Jan 3 I think Chops will benefit from playing alongside a partner and could start to score more regularly, he was ineffective in the lone striker role. I also think many peoples view on Murphy's contribution has been clouded by his many poor performances at left wing. He has been much better up front.
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