Chops away. Michael heading back to Sunderland

Last updated : 29 December 2008 By Michael Morris
Now it's up to the clubs to do a deal to try and get him back again. Chopra, speaking after yesterday's match said that unless he was told different he would report for training at Sunderland on Tuesday.

New Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia has not spoken to him yet with his only contact at the Stadium of Light with Dwight Yorke.

Chopra wants to play football and he appears more than happy to do that at Cardiff City. If the respective clubs can sort out a deal. In his time here over the past few weeks he's scored 5 goals.

City's other loan signing, Wayne Routledge is due to end his spell in the middle of the month, there were breaking news reports on Saturday that Q.P.R. were close to a deal with Aston Villa for the flying winger.

Come on Mr Chairman, Routledge has been a crucial addition to our squad and we must do all we can to secure his services. He is out of contract at the end of the season so Villa will accept a modest fee. It's whether Cardiff can compete with London, his hometown.

The third part of City's January merry go round is Joe Ledley. Since moving into central midfield and being given the captaincy, Cardiff are unbeaten. He offers an attacking edge that was lasking previously and it speaks volumes that he's managed to keep Steve McPhail out of the side. McPhail was always a guaranteed starter but Joe was handed a challenge and he has delivered.

We are serious contenders as we kick off 2009. This club has achieved near miracles during 2008, Cup finals and new stadiums amongst them. The Pièce de résistance though would be promotion to the Premier league. Should we pull that off I think we could compare it favourably with the parting of the Red Sea as far as major achievements go.