Chopra ready to play through pain barrier

Last updated : 11 August 2006 By Michael Morris

"I picked it up against Auxerre and the same happened at Barnsley, that's why I came off with 10 minutes to go," Chopra told the Echo.

"My hamstring is so tight the muscles around it are working twice as hard. My glut muscle in particular is pretty sore

"I was sore before the West Brom game and I was getting a lot of treatment before the game and at half-time.

"It just meant so much to me to keep playing, I just had to play through the pain and, luckily enough, I could do that.

"If selected, I'll definitely get through the Coventry game and then I've got a week to rest it. I think it's just a matter of resting it more than anything else.

"I want to play well for this club and I want us to go places, so I'll try and play through the pain barrier as much as I can.

"I'll do what I can to get the pain away, even if I have to take an injection. I'll do that because I want to play as many games as I can."

After a purple patch in pre season Chopra is waiting for his first City goal. His movement and pace has been excellent so far and he's chipped in with an assist for Joe Ledley's opener at Barnsley.