A FRUSTRATED Michael Chopra revealed he intends to utilise his versatility and take a watch-and-learn crash course from new Magpies hero Michael Owen in a bid to win a place in Graeme Souness' first team.

The 21-year-old striker returned to second team action on Monday night and scored a 34th minute penalty in the 2-2 draw with Blackburn.

He was employed as a lone striker in the first half before his boss, Tommy Craig, pushed Shola Ameobi up alongside him in a traditional 4-4-2.

Far from being put out at being asked to fill several different roles, Chopra says he relishes the challenge and insists it can only make him a better player.

"It was a bit different to what I'm used to as a lone striker but every time Tommy asks me to play in whatever position I've just got to go out and give it my best shot," said Chopra.

"If Tommy asks me to play left-back I'll play left-back as long as I'm playing.

"The more different roles I show I can play the better, especially with the way the gaffer goes. Sometimes he goes 4-3-3, sometimes he goes 4-5-1, sometimes 4-4-2, so the more you adapt to different formations the better player you'll become."

Chopra built up a fearsome reputation as a teenager in the United ranks and scored goals for fun at every level. Insiders at St James' Park had even earmarked the Newcastle-born striker as the heir to Alan Shearer's throne.

But Chopra has so far failed to take his prolific talent for finding the net as a youngster into the Premiership, although it is fair to say he has rarely been given the opportunity to shine.

His current path to the first team is blocked by Shearer and Owen.

Chopra says he is undeterred about the daunting prospect of trying to dislodge them and insists it only make him more determined to succeed.

"It's going to be hard to get Michael and Alan out of the team when they're playing well," said Chopra, whose contract ends in the summer.

"I think my job now is to try and get as many goals as I can and hopefully the manager will bring me on if he needs me.

"But I've just got to keep working hard in the reserves. I've just got to try and work on holding the ball up a bit better.

"Hopefully I'll work on that with the gaffer and Deano (Dean Saunders). I think as I get older I'll get stronger and the more I'll be able to hold the ball up. At the moment I'm a runner in behind.

"I don't need to look any further than Alan and Michael. If I can achieve half the things Alan's achieved I'll be happy.

"You've just got to look up to them and think it's a good time to be at the club when you've got two top-class strikers who you can watch to improve your game.

"You learn by watching but they'll talk to you as well.

"Michael's movement against Manchester City was always on the last shoulder of the defender and that's how I like to play.

"He ran past them and put one past David James. Hopefully Michael can keep doing that and I'd like to be able to do that.

"It's a bit tough for me at the moment because my contract runs out at the end of the year.

"I need to be playing football at this stage of my career.

"It's hard for me because it doesn't seem like I've ever been given a chance at this club.

"All I've got to do is just keep working hard and hopefully one day they'll give me my chance."

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