Ipswich striker Michael Chopra reveals gambling addiction

Ipswich striker Michael Chopra has revealed he has gambled away up to £2million - and he played with injury to cover a debt.

The former Newcastle, Cardiff and Sunderland player recently checked into the Sporting Chance Clinic to address his addiction.

Chopra said: "Your first bet's your worst bet. As the years have come along and I've earned more money I've started to gamble more.

"I was gambling up to £20,000 a day at times. As soon as I'd step over the white line I would focus on football - but as soon as I got to the dressing room I would check my phone to see if I'd won.

"As a gambler you want to be playing to get the appearance money. I was playing through injury to cover a debt."

Self-confessed Newcastle fan Chopra revealed he left Cardiff for Sunderland because the signing-on fee would pay off a gambling debt.

He continued on Sky Sports News: "In my first season at Cardiff I had a gambling debt from when I was at Newcastle. I had to leave Cardiff and sign for another team to pay that debt off.

"I have probably lost between £1.5 million and £2 million on gambling."

However, with the help of Sporting Chance Clinic, Chopra wants to repay the faith Ipswich have shown in him and help them back to the Premier League.

He added: "The main thing now is to get promoted with Ipswich. They've backed me and I want to pay them back."

PA