Chopra will win over fans - Keane - Sport in brief

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The 23-year-old Cardiff striker has signed a four-year contract with the Black Cats which could be worth up to £5million and some sections of the Sunderland support have voiced their opposition to his recruitment because of his Newcastle roots - he was born and bred in city and started his career at St James' Park.

However, Keane is backing Chopra to win over any doubters and said: "I am delighted that Michael has joined us. He is a natural goalscorer who will bring competition with our other quality strikers to the side. I am very confident he will score goals for this football club.''

Chopra may have to do that in abundance if he is to win over his critics on Wearside.

Sunderland were leading their derby rivals 1-0 on April 17 last year when the England Under-21 international came off the bench and equalised within seconds.

Newcastle went on to claim the points with Alan Shearer - in what proved to be his last game for the club - Charles N'Zogbia and Albert Luque sealing victory in depressing style for the home fans.

Chopra returned to haunt the Black Cats again last season when, having completed a £500,000 summer move to Ninian Park, his double saw Cardiff triumph 2-1 on Wearside on October 31.

In addition, he will have to contend with the pressure of a price tag which has grown rapidly in the space of 12 months and the fact speculation linking the club with Diego Forlan, Jermain Defoe, Paul Scholes, Alan Smith and David Nugent in recent weeks had left supporters anticipating the arrival of a bigger name.