Bolton v Ipswich: Mick McCarthy has hailed Michael Chopra’s attitude after the Blues striker leapt off the bench to beat Bolton Wanderers.

Town’s number 10 has been forced to watch DJ Campbell become a fans’ favourite – a status further cemented after the loan forward scored his sixth goal in 11 matches after Mark Davies’ fantastic opener for the Trotters.

Cool-headed Campbell equalised from the penalty spot, Town’s third award in successive matches, to set up a grandstand finish.

And it was won by Chopra who showed all his predatory instincts to net a close-range rebound after Bradley Orr’s shot was spilled.

Delighted with the three points, as Town pushed further away from the bottom three, McCarthy paid particular tribute to Chopra.

The Town boss said: “I am really pleased and thrilled for him.

“He has had some tough times but he has been nothing other than brilliant with me.”

McCarthy revealed that Chopra even waved away a chance to have a day off to play in a practice match in a bid to impress his manager.

The manager explained: “I said he could have a day off on Wednesday but he said no and instead played in a training game.

“His attitude has been terrific and it was a great goal – a great striker’s goal. He is a player, no mistake about that. He gives us great options.”

After top-scoring last season with 14 goals, Chopra has endured a difficult 2012/13 so far, on and off-the-pitch.

Saturday’s memorable winner was just his third of a stop-start campaign – and his first in three months – but supporters will be hoping his match-winner kick-starts his season.