Michael Chopra has thanked his manager at Sunderland Football Club.

The former Newcastle United striker has suffered personal problems of late and has also served a three-match suspension, but he notched twice in the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

"I have been grateful to the manager for giving me time away," said Chopra.

"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.

"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 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 club and a team that's going forward, 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.”