01/11/2006 52 Echo sloy 01/11/2006 Main Echo ECHO Weds nov1

Spor t
ROY Keane hailed Michael Chopra after watching the Cardiff City striker shoot down his Sunderland side and declared he can lead the Bluebirds to the Premiership. City are still four points clear at the top of the table with their goals difference of plus 16 the leading in the division. And Keane believes Dave Jones men can stay there. And it was a special night for Geordie Chopra who engineered the defeat of his North-East rivals. Chopra took his goals tally to the season to 10 in 14 appearances with a first-half brace in the 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light, taking him to the top of the Championship scoring table. Cardiff City are top on merit and they have a team who could take them all the way to the Premiership, said Keane, who won eight Premiership titles with Manchester United. In Chopra they have a player who makes great runs and he scores goals. He has done that for years and I watched him play for Newcastle many times. Keane, who has now seen his Sunderland team lose four times in 10 games since he took charge at the Stadium of Light, also blasted his own players. We were poor," said Keane. Everything about us was wrong and it was a very, very bad night. There were no plusses whatsoever. What do I do now? Chuck it in? Of course not. I expect a big reaction from my players at Norwich City on Saturday." Full match report: Pages 50-51

FEELING GOOD Gavin Henson.

Legend backs promotion bid

Keane Chopras simply the best

Henson pledges to deliver for Wales

Darren Witcoop
GAVIN Henson has vowed to justify his Wales recall when he returns to the international fold against Australia at the Millennium Stadium. The Ospreys star ended a lengthy spell on the international sidelines when he was named in Gareth Jenkins side to face the Wallabies on Saturday. Despite playing most of his regional rugby this season at outside-half, Henson has kept out rookie duo James Hook and Gavin Evans to revive his Grand Slam midfield partnership with Tom Shanklin. And Henson has vowed to reproduce his form of two seasons ago when he was an integral part of the Mike Ruddock side who produced a Six Nations clean sweep. The big games bring the best out of me, said the 24-year-old. With the injury and suspension I wasnt physically or mentally right last season. But Im feeling pretty good now that Ive had game time under my belt and Im looking to get back to the form I showed two seasons ago. And with Hook and Evans snapping at his heels, Henson has revealed the current side under Gareth Jenkins is stronger than the one which swept to its Grand Slam triumph last year. I think this is a stronger squad than before, he said. Theres competition for every position and whoever comes in it is just as strong. Its great from a Wales point of view ahead and great for autumn internationals and the season ahead. Its up to the individual now to put a marker down and put your hands up to play. Centre of attention: Pages 46-47
SWE NExtra Nov 1 06 40p 4 4

THOMMO OUT AFTER INJURY

Terry Phillips
Chief Sports Writer

CARDIFF City striker Steve Thompson is set to miss at least three games when he goes into hospital for surgery on an Achilles injury later this week. Scottish international Thompson will miss the visit to Colchester United on Saturday plus Burnley and Queens Park Rangers at home and could be rated doubtful for the following games against Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City at home. Former Rangers striker

Operation for striker: hell miss three games

Thompson has been playing on with the Achilles problem, but had to go off at half-time during last night's outstanding 2-1 win at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. We've known about this for some time, but Steve has played on to help the team, said manager Dave Jones. We decided he would have the operation after this match

and he will now go in for surgery. Steve has helped us through the last five games when he had this problem, but he is now out for a minimum of three matches. We will try to sign a loan striker, but nobody will do us any favours, particularly clubs in the Championship. Kevin Campbell took over

from Thompson in attack last night, but looked rusty. He has played only a bit part in Cardiff City matches this season and could take time to get into his stride. Luigi Glombard, who disappointed on his full debut at Norwich City and Andrea Ferretti are not ready for Championship football, which leaves Cardiff with no back-up to Campbell and

Michael Chopra apart from moving Paul Parry from the wing to a more central role. Glenn Loovens made a surprise appearance for the Bluebirds at Sunderland last night, having made a remarkable recovery from a facial injury sustained against Derby County last Saturday.

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