Chopra injury blow for Magpies

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness’ striker crisis deepened further today when Michael Chopra was ruled out of action for at least a month after damaging his knee ligaments.

Just 24 hours after the Magpies’ fears that skipper Alan Shearer could miss the Barclays Premiership opener at Arsenal on Sunday were quelled, 21-year-old Chopra jarred his knee 15 minutes into last night’s 3-2 reserve team victory over Leeds.