MICHAEL CHOPRA feels Roy Keane's rigorous training methods are responsible for Sunderland's ability to conjure up injury-time goals - and feels there are plenty more to come.

Chopra's 93rd minute winner against Tottenham on Saturday was followed by Stern John's last-gasp equaliser at Birmingham on Wednesday.

And, although he was not around to experience similar turns of events under Keane in the Championship last season, Chopra is convinced the late showings are no coincidence.

Despite starting the summer training with Cardiff, the 23-year-old striker insists nothing compares to being put through his paces by Keane in training.

And it is for that reason Chopra thinks Sunderland's knack of finding the net in the closing stages of matches will continue.

"It's down to fitness levels. We're obviously a lot fitter than the teams we've been playing," said Chopra.

"Pre-season has probably been the hardest I've ever had.

"Full credit to the manager because pre-season was very difficult and when it's difficult you get your rewards.

"Against Birmingham and against Tottenham we scored late goals and everyone's full of running at the end.

"We have that never say die attitude, everyone wants to win for each other and do well for each other.

"It's the intensity of the training. Even in training the manager says he picks the team from training so every day in training you've got to prepare like it's a Saturday and a Premiership match."

Given Chopra's well-documented background, he was a Newcastle fan who spent years graduating through the youth ranks at St James' Park, there were supporters of Sunderland who did not welcome his arrival.

However, with his two goals in two appearances for the club, he has won over those same fans and chants of 'he's one of us' could be heard at Birmingham.

The fact he conjured up a terrific goal, when he found the net with an exceptional strike with his left boot 15 minutes from time, certainly helped matters.

He has, though, no intention of resting on what he has already achieved.

"Every time I score I love the fans singing my name because you just get that little bit of a buzz that makes you go the extra inch," said Chopra, hoping to retain his place at Wigan tomorrow.

"It's fantastic. I knew when I first came to the club it was going to be difficult because of my background.

"I knew all along if I could score goals they would change and rightly so, they've changed their opinion of me because I've done so well.

"I feel very accepted. From day one they've all welcomed me. As long as you're working hard, giving 100 per cent and doing your best for the team, they'll always accept you."

Having started on the bench against Tottenham before his promotion to the starting line-up at St Andrew's, Chopra is satisfied with how quickly he has forced his way into Keane's team.

But he realises that the manager will soon drop him if his performance levels dip.

"The only way you can show the manager what you can do is by doing what I've done," he said. "If you're scoring goals you're going to give the manager a bit of headache.

"Whatever team the manager picks I'll stand by him because of the managers he's been coached by and what he's achieved in the game.

"What people don't realise is there's still 36 games. We have three games in a week and we needed some squad rotation.

Keane, meanwhile, has given permission for defender Clive Clarke and goalkeeper Marton Fulop to head out on loan to Leicester.

Left-back Clarke has gone to the Foxes for three months while Fulop has joined for the rest of the season.

He hopes to replace Clarke with Middlesbrough's Julio Arca in the squad, having already had one offer turned down for the former Stadium of Light favourite.