Michael Chopra scored 22 goals for Cardiff in the 2006/7 Championship
Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale says they could seek to sign former striker Michael Chopra permanently.
The 24-year-old, who joined Sunderland for �5m last year, has returned to Ninian Park on a two-month loan deal.
"Anything is possible in football, clearly it's (the loan) deliberately taking us to the 1st of January so our options are open," Ridsdale said.
"We have discussed whether a permanent move might be a possibility or indeed an extended loan period."
Chopra was an immediate hit in south Wales after joining Cardiff on a free transfer from Newcastle United in time for the 2006/7 season.
The striker's 22 goals that season in the Championship saw a swift return to the north east, with Sunderland paying �5m for Chopra in July 2007.
Chopra managed six goals in 33 Premier League appearances in the 2007/8 season, but has played in just five league games so far this term and scored two goals.
"It's fantastic to be back," Chopra told the Cardiff City website. "The main thing now is just to get on that pitch on Saturday and show the fans and the team I'm here to score goals.
"I've been here before and even if it is just for two months, I don't know if it's going to continue, you'll have to speak to the manager and the chairman about that."
Cardiff lost both top scorer Ross McCormack and strike partner Jay Bothroyd to hamstring injuries last Saturday in the 2-1 loss at Wolves.
With McCormack expected to be out for up to a month and Bothroyd for up to eight weeks, Cardiff needed to strengthen their attacking options.
"We've been monitoring his (Chopra's) progress at Sunderland for some time," Ridsdale added.
"I went to watch Stoke and Sunderland last Wednesday and spoke to (Sunderland chairman) Niall Quinn at the time about what their intentions were for Michael.
"But I wasn't thinking of immediately, I was thinking more perhaps of the January transfer window and then of course events of Saturday made us try and accelerate a move and I'm delighted to say we've got him.
"Obviously until last Saturday we were delighted with Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd.
"But given both got injured it was critical we went out and got the best striker available to take us through and we're delighted that Michael, who we know extremely well and he knows us, was somebody that we were able to secure - but it wasn't easy."
Ridsdale revealed that Sunderland were at first reluctant to allow Chopra out on loan, while rival interest from Queens Park Rangers further complicated matters.
Chopra now has two months to recapture his form for Cardiff before the January transfer window opens.
That will give Sunderland and Cardiff the option of discussing a permanent transfer, although the Black Cats could also recall Chopra if they needed, or agree to a further loan term.
Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Dave Jones has been voted the Championship manager of the month for October.
Cardiff enjoyed an excellent month, recording three wins and two draws from their five league fixtures.
Also short-listed for the October award were Simon Davey of Barnsley, Alex McLeish of Birmingham City and Derby County's Paul Jewell.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?