Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas won’t be frozen out and left to rot in the Blues’ U21 side if they are still at Portman Road when the new season starts, according to manager Mick McCarthy. The duo were made available for transfer at the end of 2012/13 despite still having a year remaining on their Town contracts.

McCarthy says there’s been “a little bit” of interest in the pair with Fulham eyeing Emmanuel-Thomas — who is understood to have been back at training in the last couple of days having been sent home ill on Monday - and Russian side Spartak Moscow and Turkish club Bursaspor believed to be targeting Chopra.

However the Blues boss says it’s too soon to expect firm offers with clubs less than keen to pay wages through the summer if they can help it.

If the duo don’t move on McCarthy says they’ll be in his thoughts: “Of course, because we’re still paying them.

“I don’t do any of that bombing them into the stiffs. What’s the point? If they’re here, they’ve got to be earning their keep.

“And earning their keep is being as fit as possible and being motivated. And they only get that if they’ve got a chance, and they’ve got to be given that if they’re here.”

Photo: Action Images

bigolconnor added 06:20 - Jun 27 They are both very capable players.
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BlueMachines added 06:51 - Jun 27 MM professional al walkways. Expect nothing more. No mention that either might play though. They just have to keep fit. I guess if push comes to shove one or both might get a game or two.
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debenturedave added 07:05 - Jun 27 They are still both capable of being matchwinners if Mick can motivate them and involve them both as an integral part of the squad for the long season ahead. We will need all the players we have to get out of this division!
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wkj added 07:24 - Jun 27 If JET performs like he did end of the season just gone and finds the key word; consistency he's very much capable and I will be sad to see him go of he does; as for Chopra? Well he'd have to get his head out of the clouds a bit and really knuckle down; I remember seeing him I think vs Hull and it was frustrating to say the least; young Jack Mariott liked more capable vs Burnley than MC did vs Hull. That being said Mick's diplomacy have got to be applauded here; whatever happens I hope both of them luck whether blues or not this season

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suffolkpunchdrunk added 07:33 - Jun 27 Any chance of having a TWTD page devoted to classic McCarthy quotes? If so can 'I don't do any of that bombing them into the stiffs' go at the top? Keep these McCarthyisms coming please!
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StuartBrett8 added 07:37 - Jun 27 I've always said P.J destroyed Michael Chopra by playing him as a lone striker, give him a big lump like Murphy to play alongside and a decent midfield servicing him and he'll shine again. A fully in form Chopra can still be lethal in this division. In Mick we trust!
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Wickets added 07:47 - Jun 27 Yes i agree with positive comments on here both of these players can be good for us,if they dont move on.
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bluelady added 08:29 - Jun 27 Almost a win win for us... If they don't get sold they will know they are not as invisible as they believe (Jet in particular thinks he is above the championship) and only having a year left on their contract they either sit around this year, get paid for nothing and end up in league 2 next year or they knuckle down work their socks off and earn the respect that will warrant them contracts next year ether with us or elsewhere. Putting them on transfer list was genius!

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bluelady added 08:31 - Jun 27 *invincible even :-)
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WickedBlue added 11:21 - Jun 27 Bottom line impress MM and he'll give you a chance. Can't be fairer than that
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BlueySwede added 12:29 - Jun 27 Not sure about letting them go, at least not JET. Think there is a lot of capacity there, and he is still pretty young.
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Southamptonblue added 13:04 - Jun 27 "Michael Chopra and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas won't be frozen out and left to rot in the Blues' U21 side" I didn't realise that Chopra was eligible for the U21s...
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Dolly2.0 added 13:22 - Jun 27 Southampton - you can have 3 (I think) overage players in the U21s
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martleshamitfc added 13:50 - Jun 27 MM just saying this to let other clubs think they are part of his plans and maybe hiking up the price, especially in the case of Chopra? I would be happy to see both stay if they give 100% effort, but not sure if their work ethic is up to MM's expectation.
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jabberjackson added 17:45 - Jun 27 it would be a criminal waste of our stretched resources not to have the pair of them fully fit and motivated for the new season if at all possible. Just a small point - can all the people who post the oft repeated phrase "In Mick we trust" ad nauseam please change the record. it's getting really tedious! Before we know it the club crest will bear the motto "In Mick Speramus" Might make a decent T shirt actually

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HARRY10 added 18:42 - Jun 27 ""In Mick Speramus" as long as you don't miss out the 'a'
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CobboldNeal added 23:10 - Jun 29 In Mick we have confidence
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