DEPARTING hero Michael Chopra says the memories he's made at Alloa Athletic will last forever. 

The former Newcastle and Cardiff City star ended his stint at the club last week after an ankle injury brought his season to a premature close and admits he regrets not being able to do more to help the Wasps fight off relegation this season.

The 32-year-old striker Chopra told Advertiser sport: “Obviously, I am very sad to be leaving the club and I would have liked to have gone out on a high, there was nothing I could do about the injury.

"I need surgery on my ankle and then it is a case of letting it heal so it is a shame to leave without doing my bit to help the team. I have been injured since December and it has been hard watching on helpless as the boys have struggled on the park. 

“It was frustrating that we only discovered the full extent of my injury a couple of weeks ago when I got injured in December, because I believe I could’ve helped the team to getting a few more points on the board than we have done.

"Normally, towards the end of the season is when things usually happen for me in terms of form and that has been the case right throughout my career. 

“It is just a shame I couldn’t do that again for Alloa this season. The playoff final was a special day as well. I think my goal just before half time really kicked us on to go on to win the game and these are moments that will live long in the memory and I will never forget them.

“If you look at this year’s side compared to last year, there is maybe more out and out footballers in the side, but what the previous year’s side had is players in the team that would run through brick walls for each other and battle. I am not criticising the lads, but it is a fact that this year we have had too many ball players and not enough ball winning players.”

Chopra leapt to the defence of former boss Danny Lennon and believes the reason they have struggled in the league this season is down to them not having enough bite in the team. 

But the hitman does believe the Wee County outfit can bounce straight back up next season provided Jack Ross gets the financial backing of the board. 

He said: “It has been a difficult season for us all at the club and it is never easy when you change manager. I know a lot of players have come out and criticised Danny Lennon for his management of the club, but having played a high level of the game, I know that Danny is a good manager. I don’t care what people want to say, but the things he was trying to do at a part time club just weren’t working where as at a full time club, those same ideals would work. 

“It was a really difficult task for us straight off the bat being a part time club in a league filled mainly with full time clubs so realistically we would be fighting relegation and that has been the case for the past few seasons, but unfortunately for the club, this year looks as if it is a season too far. You can never say never though and knowing the lads they will continue to fight and give their all until is mathematically impossible. If the worst is to happen, then I think whether or not the club will bounce straight back up will be heavily dependant on the budget.” 

The hitman made 28 appearances for the Wasps during his 18 month stint at the club and scored some vital goals that helped keep the club in the SPFL Championship last term, but none more special to the man himself than his spectacular goal against Rangers earlier this season. 

He continued: “The goals I scored to keep the club in the league last year were all really memorable ones, but the one that really sticks out is my volley against Rangers this season. A lot of people had written me off and said I could never score against the big teams so to score a volley like that against Rangers on live tv I think I proved a lot of people wrong. That is the quality that I have it is just a shame that I wasn’t able to produce it more often for the club.”

The ex-Ipswich Town star is now focused on the focus as he is in currently in talks about a move back to the Indian Super League, but he refused to rule out returning to the club one day as the manager at some point in the future. 

Chopra added: “I need to get the bones removed from ankle injury now so once I get that operation I am pretty much going to be heading back to India to play for a few years. Ideally in two or three years time I will be able to retire and I will have my coaching badges to be ready to get into management and coaching. I have no regrets about my career, I have enjoyed it and I have had a good career even though I am coming to the end now. 

“I would love to return to the club one day as manager because I would love to be able to help the club again in anyway I can. I have had a great relationship with the chairman, the staff and the fans at the club so you can never say never to anything like that.”