Sunday 5 June 2016 16:40, UK
Michael Chopra admits he has unfinished business in the Indian Super League (ISL).
The former Newcastle and Sunderland striker played under ex-England goalkeeper David James for the Sachin Tendulkar co-owner Kerala Blasters in the inaugural edition of the ISL in 2014.
But Chopra found it difficult to reach peak fitness after going half a season without playing regularly following an ill-fated spell at then-Championship side Blackpool prior to his move to India.
He then suffered an ankle injury while training on artificial turf ahead of a match in Kolkata, forcing him to miss half of the season with the Cochin-based Blasters.
Chopra signed for Scottish side Alloa Athletic in March 2015, leaving a year later after suffering a recurrence of the ankle injury that plagued his stint in India.
"India is still a place that's very close my heart," the ex-Cardiff and Ipswich striker told Sky Sports.
"My dad's family is from India and I loved it when I went out there. I would love to go back at some point and show them the real Michael Chopra.
"When I went there the first time I don't think I fully understood what it meant to be there, and I don't think I gave it my best shot. I thought it would be easier than I expected and it wasn't like that.
"I feel like I let myself and the club down as well and if I go back next time I'll know what to expect and I will definitely perform to the best of my ability."
The 32-year-old, who has also had loan spells with Watford, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley during his 14-year professional career to date, is stepping up his training regime in a bid to come back stronger next season.
"I'm recovering from an operation I had six or seven weeks ago which stemmed from an injury I had playing for Alloa in December," Chopra said.
"I couldn't really play football again until I had a couple of bones removed from my ankle, so I got them removed and I am on the mend now.
"I'm confident I can recover and come back in much better shape because when I went to India for the first edition of the Indian Super League I injured the same ankle and the surgeon told me it hasn't been the same since.
"But he has now cleared everything up in my ankle and says I will be able to move around a lot better on a football pitch which is a good thing. I am going to come back firing."
