Michael Chopra says it's a dream come true to be playing and training alongside new Sunderland signing Andy Cole.

"I grew up watching Andy Cole and Peter Beardsley together," revealed Chopra, who like so many other Newcastle fans was devastated when Cole was sold to Manchester United for £6m in 1995.

"So to have Andy there in training alongside you is fantastic. He is going to bring so much to my game. You just need to see some of the runs he does to pick up on his habits.

"People might be right to say he is 35, but he is good to have around the dressing room and on the training pitch. We can all learn from him."