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Bluebirds ask to re-sign Chopra

Michael Chopra
Striker Michael Chopra has had a successful loan spell at Ninian Park

Cardiff City have bid to re-sign striker Michael Chopra on loan from Premier League strugglers Sunderland.

New Stadium of Light boss Ricky Sbragia recalled Chopra from his two-month loan spell at Ninian Park this week.

But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale has asked Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn to let the Championship clubs know if Chopra becomes available again.

"If they're prepared to let him go back out on loan, we would like him back," Ridsdale told BBC Sport.

Chopra, who joined Sunderland from Cardiff for �5m in the summer of 2007, enjoyed an 11-game loan spell at Ninian Park.

His five goals helped Championship play-off hopefuls Cardiff to fourth in the division and Chopra admitted he would "love to stay and help Cardiff get promotion" to the Premier League.

Peter Ridsdale
We have made it clear we'll still be here if Sunderland are willing to allow Michael Chopra to go on loan again

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale

But Sbragia recalled him on 29 December to give Sunderland "another body."

Ridsdale and Bluebirds boss Dave Jones are hopeful of re-signing Chopra to boost their fire-power as they strengthen their assault on promotion.

"I would like to get Michael Chopra back on loan," admitted Jones.

"The new manager has come in and I'm sure he'll want to look at what he has got at his disposal so we'll have to wait.

"It is out of our hands, all we can do is put a good case forward."

Cardiff fans favourite Chopra's 22 goals for the Ninian Park club in the 2006/07 season earned him a �5m move to Sunderland.

But Chopra failed to hold down a first-team place under former Sunderland boss Roy Keane and re-joined Cardiff on a temporary basis in November.

Now Cardiff hope to sign Chopra for a third time and Ridsdale said: "I have left it with Sunderland.

"We have made it clear we'll still be here if they are willing to allow him to go on loan again but time will tell."

Sbragia insists Chopra is happy at Sunderland as he said: "Chops is okay. I spoke to him about that and he says he wants to play for Sunderland, so that's that.

"He seems happy. I can understand his situation, I can understand the situation where he wants to play football.

"In general, all players want to play in your first XI, and Chopra is no different."

Ridsdale confirmed that the FA Cup finalists have not had a bid for any of their star players.

Wales international midfielder Joe Ledley and centre-back Roger Johnson are two of the hottest properties outside the top-flight and have attracted attention.

Ledley was the subject of a failed �6m bid from Premier League new boys Stoke City in the summer and the Potters are expected to return with a new offer in the January transfer window.

Ridsdale said: "We have had no bids for any of our players and frankly that will suit me if it remains like that until the end of January."

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see also
Sbragia ends Chopra's loan spell
29 Dec 08 |  Cardiff
Jones hopes to hold on to Chopra
05 Dec 08 |  Cardiff
Sunderland wrap up Chopra signing
13 Jul 07 |  Sunderland


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