Chopra set to make his Black Cats debut

MICHAEL CHOPRA is likely to make his Sunderland debut in today’s friendly at Scunthorpe.

The former Newcastle striker is in line to play at Glanford Park along with fellow newcomers Kieran Richardson, Russell Anderson and Dickson Etuhu.

The four men watched from the stands as the Black Cats opened their pre-season campaign at Darlington on Wednesday evening, but are expected to get their chance today.

Manager Roy Keane said: “Some of the new lads had only just joined in training before Darlington, so the game was not ideal for them.

“But hopefully we will see them all tomorrow. Russell missed Wednesday with a slight groin strain, so we will have to wait and see how he is.”

It will be a big moment for 23-year-old Chopra, a £5m signing from Cardiff, who was born and bred in Newcastle and launched his career with his hometown club.

England international Richardson left Manchester United for the

Stadium of Light in a £5.5m switch, while Anderson headed south from Aberdeen for £1m and Etuhu sealed his £1.5m move from Norwich on Tuesday.

Keane and his players will head for a short training camp in Portugal after tomorrow’s game, and embark upon their tour of Ireland next weekend.

The manager told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “We have got some good games in pre-season, some good tests. We have six games and it is still early days. Hopefully the players will have the same attitude as they had at Darlington, I was pleased with them there.”

Keane was boosted yesterday when Wales international defender Danny Collins signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him on Wearside until 2010.

The 26-year-old central defender, a £140,000 signing from Chester in October 2004, established himself as Keane’s first-choice left-back last season.

He said: “I am delighted. I really enjoy it here and I was pleased the club decided to offer me a new deal. Now I am just looking forward to cracking on with pre-season training and all the games we have lined up over the next few weeks before the Premiership starts.”

Keane continues to work behind the scenes to strengthen his squad, although his pursuit of certain targets is proving difficult. He has received little encouragement in his move for Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, while Celtic defender Bobo Balde has indicated he will stay at Celtic.

Sunderland have seen three bids for Wigan left-back Leighton Baines rejected, although Keane has hinted that will not be the end of the matter.