Sunderland striker Michael Chopra has blasted former club Newcastle United ahead of tomorrow's derby.

He said: "I thought I deserved a lot more chances than I got.

"I don't know if that was because of the managers or whatever, but I thought going into training, working hard in training, stuff like that, I just thought I was going to get more of an opportunity.

"When the time came and they offered me a new contract, I decided to step away from it and get out of the club before I destroyed my career any more." Shola Ameobi, who like Chopra came through the Newcastle academy, slightly ahead of his Black Cats counterpart, has endured similar frustrations, although he emerged from the doldrums with his first goal in two years in Monday night's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Chopra said: "I went for food with Shola the other day and I was speaking to him about the game on Saturday and winding him up.

"But I was pleased for him that he managed to get a goal because that's his first goal in a couple of years.

"I know he has had a lot of injuries, but it is always pleasing when you can get a goal."