'Flattered' Michael Chopra rejects Indian offer

London, July 20 (UNI) Describing himself ''an English through and through'', Michael Chopra said though he is flattered to be asked to play for India, his priorities clearly lay in making it to the national team of the country of his birth.

''I was born in England and my dad was born in England,'' Chopra was quoted by the local media reports here as saying.

The 22-year-old forward is likely to be approached by the new India coach Bob Houghton after it was known that his grandfather was born in Delhi.

However, Chopra's agent Simon Bayliss quickly shot down the idea and insisted that the Cardiff City player was not interested.

''I've heard about this and there's nothing in it. Michael's played at every level for England and his intention is to continue with that,'' Bayliss had said.

Chopra reiterated his manager's statement and said though it's flattering, he would not accept the offer.

''I'm flattered to be asked, of course, but I'm English through and through,'' he said.

The striker, who has played in all the English teams upto the Under-21 level, said he was hopeful of finding a place in the team to be built by new manager Steve McLaren, who took over from Sven Goran Eriksson after the the World Cup.

''That would be a dream and, who knows? If Cardiff City make the progress we all hope and I score goals then anything can happen,'' he said of his future plans.

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