Ipswich Town boss Paul Jewell has admitted that striker Michael Chopra is receiving treatment for a gambling addiction.
The 27-year-old checked in to the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire recently and received three weeks of treatment for what Jewell is calling an ‘illness’.
Despite this, the former Newcastle and Sunderland star has still been playing for Ipswich during his battle to overcome the addiction, however he sat out last Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
Chopra is set for a return to the starting line-up against Milwall this weekend, and Jewell has urged everyone associated with the club to back Chopra by giving him maximum support in his recovery.
“Chops has a gambling problem. It’s an illness,” Jewell told Ipswich’s official website.
“But he’s doing something about it. He is standing up and facing the problem head on and he deserves credit for that. It’s a brave man that does that.
“He went into the Sporting Chance Clinic after the Brighton game and spent three weeks there. He has just come out for games and that’s why I left him out against Palace last weekend.
Jewell went on to say, “He needs the help of the players around him, myself , the chief executive, and most importantly the supporters. He is desperate to do well for this football club and loves it here.
“We have been there for him and we will continue to be there for him. All I ask is for the supporters to be there for him as well. I’m sure they will be because we’re lucky, we have a great set of supporters at this club.”