Former Barnsley loan star Michael Chopra has been forced to check into rehab as he attempts to cure a gambling addiction.
The 27 year old who enjoyed an excellent loan stint at Oakwell from Newcastle in the 2004-2005 season when he hit 18 goals but has suffered with a gambling addiction for some time that has now seen him check into Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance clinic.
Chopra is now at Ipswich after two spells with Cardiff and one with Sunderland and his manager Paul Jewell told BBC Sport:
It's been difficult for us to talk about it," added Jewell. "He hasn't trained. He was turning up for matches and going straight back to the clinic afterwards
"He's in a better place, in his head, than he's been for a long time. The transformation in his personality is quite clear to see, we all desperately want to help him.
Meanwhile Reds defender Luke Potter is attempting to get his career back on track after making his first appearance for over a year on Saturday for Blue Square Bet Premier side Alfreton Town.
The 22 year old who has had a staggering five knee operations in just two years has joined the Derbyshire side on loan in an attempt to regain his match sharpness and played the full 90 minutes in their 3-2 defeat to Mansfield at the weekend.
He told the Star:
"It's been so frustrating for me being out for so long, but hopefully this is the end of my problems,"
"There's been swelling on my knee recently which stopped my original move to Alfreton, but I'm glad I'm there now and I have the opportunity to play.
"I just want to get as fit as I can and then try and force my way back into the side. We've not got a reserve team at the club, so playing for Alfreton was my first game in over a year.
"The Barnsley lads have been great with me and have kept encouraging me. I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, I've just got to impress the new manager and hope I can be in his plans.
"Keith Hill's been great with me. We'll take this loan move game by game and see what happens."
Source: FOOTYMAD
