Alan Shearer fears Sunderland striker Michael Chopra will come back to haunt Newcastle United in this weekend's derby.
The 23-year-old heads into Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby wearing the red and white of Sunderland having scored for the Magpies in their 4-1 victory over their arch-rivals two seasons ago.
He scored in the opening day 1-0 win over Tottenham and then a 2-2 draw at Birmingham four days later but has not found the net since.
However, Shearer, who watched Chopra's development at close hand during his time at St James' Park, knows his drought will end and only hopes it is not this weekend.
He said: "After a great start, the goals have dried up for him but it hasn't been the first and it won't be the last time for him in his career.
"He is on a sticky spell in front of goal but what I have noticed is that his work-rate has not dropped, which is important.
"He has probably played a lot of games out on the right when they have played that 4-5-1 system, which is not his ideal position.
"But the goals will come back for him - not on Saturday, though."