Chopra has scored four goals this season, to Jones' five

Sunderland's Michael Chopra believes the Black Cats have the strength in depth to cope with the absence of fellow striker Kenwyne Jones.

The Trinidad & Tobago man was missing at Aston Villa on Saturday and Chopra felt the players rose to the occasion.

"We knew without Kenwyne someone else would have to come and step up to the plate," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It means that we don't have to rely on Kenwyne, we've shown a lot of people we can be the same team without him."

606: DEBATE Would Kenwyne Jones be your Player of the Year?

Two of the Newcastle-born striker's former clubs are in FA Cup semi-final action and Chopra admitted he is delighted to see them doing so well.

"It's strange because Cardiff and Barnsley are playing each other," he laughed.

"Good luck to them both, it's what the FA Cup is about. I hope to get down and watch the game.

"I've still got a lot of friends at Cardiff and I know a few people at Barnsley too."