Michael Chopra to Miss First Three Games of the Season

Sunderland striker Michael Chopra has been ruled out for first three games of the season, Roy Keane confirmed today. The decision to ban the Sunderland striker after he picked up a red card in a pre-season friendly only came through yesterday and Keane said: "It didn't put me in the best of moods, but, to be honest, I had expected it."

Chopra received a straight red for a mistimed challenge in the game against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal last month. Keane was also sent to the stands in the incident, complaining about the injustice of the decision.

Referee Bruno Paixao has taken no action against the Sunderland manager but has enforced the ban against Chopra which means that not only will he miss his side's opening game against Liverpool but will be out of contention in the following matches against Tottenham and Manchester City.

It is a major blow to Sunderland who now find themselves without their two leading goalscorers from last season, with Kenwyne Jones currently side-lined for six to eight weeks with knee damage. Keane, though, is content that he now has the squad strength to ensure Liverpool are given a stern examination this Saturday.

Roy Keane told the Echo: "We've brought in some quality players this summer and they give us a few more options when it comes to who we might put out. On the injury front, Pascal Chimbonda, Kieran Richardson, Danny Higginbotham and Phil Bardsley have all shaken off niggly injuries and the only one who will definitely miss the start of the season with a knock is Dwight Yorke. I haven't finalised what my selection will be for Saturday's game, but the lads have been in great form in training and there's real competition for places. Of course, there are a few areas where we want to strengthen and I think those have been well documented. But I don't expect to have any new faces in by the weekend. That of course can change by the hour, and I know Niall Quinn and Peter Walker are working very hard in that direction. But I have to say that I am happy with the squad I'm taking into the new season. Every manager would like to have more and I am no different but I can't complain."