Sunderland's two-goal hero Michael Chopra has dedicated his goals to his baby son.

Chopra came off the bench to fire Sunderland to a 2-0 victory over derby rivals Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old emerged from personal problems which saw him head for the Sporting Chance clinic during his recent enforced lay-off to remind the red and white faithful exactly what he is capable of with a match-winning display.

Chopra said: "I have been grateful to the manager for giving me time away. It's been hard for me.

"Funnily enough, when I left the house yesterday to go to the hotel, I said to my little boy, Sebastian, 'I'm going to get a goal for you', and I got two, so he will be happy."

Former Newcastle player Chopra joined Sunderland in a £5million move from Cardiff last summer, and scored six goals during his first campaign, for much of which he played as a wide midfielder.

The arrivals of Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf during the close season have significantly increased competition for places in attack, but it was he who shone on Saturday.

Chopra said: "I believe if I get the chance to score goals, I will put them away because I have got a load of belief in my ability, and with the players the manager has brought in, I am going to get a lot of chances.

"The main thing is to be involved and be out on the pitch in the starting XI.

"He [Keane] has brought some top-class players in and the only way you are going to get better is to learn from them and to play with them.

"I know if want to be part of this football club and part of a team that's going forward and places, I have got to be scoring goals.

"The manager brought me in to score goals and that's the only way I can get into the team."