Chopra’s wife vows to stand by troubled striker

Aug 31 2008 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

TROUBLED striker Michael Chopra will leave rehab this week to return home to his supportive wife, the Sunday Sun can reveal.

The Black Cats footballer checked into the Sporting Chance clinic last Thursday following a row with his wife Heather, 25, in a Newcastle nightspot, hoping his stay will turn his marriage around.

It has been reported that the couple — who wed on Friday, June 13, at the sumptuous Orchardleigh House in Somerset — had to be pulled apart during an angry spat in Perdu in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

Wags Boutique TV star Heather has admitted that the newlyweds are having “difficulties” but says she is standing by him.

In a statement, Heather said: “Michael and I have been together since we were 16 and have been through so much together.

“I am standing by him 100 per cent and give him my full support in the hope that his time in rehab will help him to come home feeling stronger and better.

“We are obviously having some personal difficulties but it is at these times we get stronger and we plan to work through any problems together and look forward to being a happy family with our son Sebastian.” Last night at the pair’s new home in Northumberland, Heather declined to add to the statement, saying she simply wanted to make it clear she was fully supporting him.

However, she confirmed the Sunderland player will be returning to their home at the end of his stay at the clinic.

She added: “He’s staying there for a week.”

The former Newcastle player, 24, volunteered to enter the clinic, a specialist centre set in the Hampshire countryside which was set up by former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams.

It has been used by several top stars, including Paul Gascoigne and Magpies midfielder Joey Barton.

In an unusual move, the clinic’s official website yesterday acknowledged Chopra’s stay on their home page, by listing a series of tabloid newspaper stories on the player’s plight in their “Latest News” column.

Meanwhile, Chopra’s boss Roy Keane has promised the full support of everyone at Sunderland AFC.

He said: “We are helping Michael as he deals with some personal issues and he has the full support of everyone at the club.

“We would ask that his privacy, and that of his family, is respected at this time and the club will not be commenting further on this matter.”