Johnson blow for City

October 07, 2007

MANCHESTER City have been dealt a blow with the news that Michael Johnson may have to undergo surgery on a groin injury.

The midfielder, who has been called up by England's under 21 squad for the European Championships qualifier against Montenegro, could be sidelined for a "few weeks" if it is decided that he needs an operation.

City manager Sven Goran Eriksson confirmed that Johnson will have to have the injury assessed, but has still been cleared to report for England duty on Tuesday.

"Michael is not 100%," said the Swede after the 3-1 win against Middlesbrough.

"He trains one day, then he misses one - and this has been going on for quite a long time now.

"He is going to report for duty with the England Under-21s squad on Tuesday, and we will take it from there. He might require an operation, or they might think he can recover totally."

City will be desperate not to lose the teenager, who is already being compared to Blues legend Colin Bell.

Johnson has been one of the discoveries of the season so far, playing a pivotal roll in City's impressive start to the campaign.

Stunning solo goals earned victories against Derby and Aston Villa this term and last week prompted former CIty manager Stuart Pearce to call him up for the U21s.

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30 years of pain, Lowestoft (07/10/2007 at 19:15)

Bugger England if the lad is struggling and needs an oppo now surely is the time to have it done, 2 weeks before next home match against Brum. Should be able to get buy them with Geo playing for him instead, game after that Chelsea (we never get anything there) thats 4 weeks so hopefully should be back in time to play some part in Sunnerland game but will really need him away at Pompey the follwoing week. Just my opinion.

fatbloke (07/10/2007 at 19:25)

never mind maybe this is a chance for fernandes to show his worth

Blue (07/10/2007 at 19:25)

Entirely agree with the first comment. If he needs an op then let him have it now!!!!! Don't now why he is going to join up with England.

Just a thought why not send him to see the specialist Michael Owen and Craig Bellamy have seen in Germany!!!!

coleraine blue, coleraine, northern ireland. (07/10/2007 at 19:36)

He should have the surgery done a.s.a.p,his health is more important than another call-up for ENGLAND.if he lets this drag on it will take much longer to recover, spoiling not only his england chances but his excellent form for city.

Dangermouse 2, Heywood (07/10/2007 at 20:03)

Never get anything there????
Are you joking...there's a new team in town, and word is they're no flash in the pan!
Not seen a side we can't beat in the premiership yet (Arsenal - unlucky not to come away with anything, Blackburn poor game - one off).

Mr Ed (The Stables) (07/10/2007 at 20:14)

Least we have the International break to get him rested and fit. What a player this lad is going to be in three or four years time.

gazza exiled manc, margate (07/10/2007 at 20:15)

I know Johnson is playing well but he's only young so the op will give him a rest which might not be a bad thing

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets! Levenshulme. (Debt Free) (07/10/2007 at 21:01)

30 year of pain - totally agree, if he needs an op nows the time. However, I say we bring Ireland inside as he can tackle as well as pass.

Pie in the Sky, Manchester (07/10/2007 at 21:49)

Sounds to me like it's a similar situation to Michael Owen's groin problem. He needs to set it sorted out now and then he can be back in time for the Birmingham game. If Owen is going to be ok for England next weekend and he only had surgery last weekend then City can do the same with Johnson. Get it sorted now!

Jesper, Copenhagen (07/10/2007 at 21:50)

Agree with 30 years of pain, if Stuart Pearce has any logic left he gives Johnson a rest in order for him to undergo surgery if necessary and recover in time to continue his fine form for City. What a gem. His potential has really exploded this season, which is another reason why he should get this injury treated asap.

Chippy (07/10/2007 at 22:14)

Why write off the game at Stamford Bridge? Chelsea are in trouble, but if they do start playing again we want to keep them out of the top 4, not give them 3 points.

Bristol Blue, Bristol (07/10/2007 at 23:17)

Quite agree with 30 years of pain. This is the U21s we are talking about and having seen them in Bristol they have a number of ready made substitutes. Johnson should be seen by the medics now.

pete ancoats, Ancoats, Manchester (08/10/2007 at 00:03)

With this two week international break, this should be the perfect time to give Michael Johnson complete REST and treatment on his groin injury. He is very young. His England chances will come again thick and fast - but right now he needs to be assessed in MANCHESTER not at the England set-up - and then either rested or operated on immediately. This is absolute common sense. I do not know why we are even considering sending him off to join the U21 squad. He needs this injury sorting now - and with us.

Guvnor's Friend, Redditch, Worcestershire (08/10/2007 at 08:25)

30 years of Pain - And avery valid opinion if I might say in respect of Johnno's situation. It's incredible that the lad is such a fixture in the team after only 20 games - it's easy to forget he is so inexperienced because he is so damn good.I disagree in respect of Chelski away as I think we are capable of coming away with a point...or am I just getting giddy about the Sven factor?

Reports linking us with a move for Patrick Vierra at Inter - don't know what others think but isn't he slightly past his sell by date nowadays? I like the sound of a Vierra-type player being recruited to enhance the midfield but Vierra himself circa 2007 - I'm not so sure. Still, when all is said and done 'In Sven We Trust'.

With Bojinov to come back, Bianchi to get back on track after losing his mate Corrardi, the team growing in stature,the possible acquisition of a top striker plus Bresciano from Serie A, Riquelmie from Villareal (is that where he is registered although out on loan to Boca in Argentina?) and go back in the Chiellini from Juventus and we really could look at a top four finish this season - imho!

OB1, Lakeside Park (08/10/2007 at 08:40)

Thought he had a very good first half yesterday. Would prefer it if he wasn't released to England.

Lunar, Derby (08/10/2007 at 09:18)

Re: the Viera rumours. If it’s true, don’t you think it would be to provide comptetition for places/cover the Haman position?

Dave1963 (08/10/2007 at 09:33)

Thought first half yesterday he wasnt at the races. I put it down to him underperforming like all players do at some time or other. I should have known he was carrying an injury. He has been awesome this season and hopefully wont miss to many if any games.

Blue-Swede-dude, In Nancy's Knickers! (08/10/2007 at 09:52)

IF EVER THERE HAS BEEN A TIME TO PLAY CHELSEA.....IT IS NOW! WE HAVE THE WIND AT OUR BACKS, THEY HAVE IT IN THERE FACE! BRING IT ON!

George Kane, Stretford (08/10/2007 at 10:01)

Our two first choice forwards don t seem to have made much of a difference.We now have the depth to cope with situations like this.I see we're linked with a few superstars throughout Europe,what I reckon Sven will do is look at the injury situation & go like for like with squad type players & a spectacular if a decent enough name comes available,I'm 100% convinced it won t be another forward.

Danny - Salford (08/10/2007 at 10:33)

I can't believe how many people think we won't get anything at Chelsea, are you the people who are responsible for the gaps in the top tiers of the Kippax and the Colin Bell stand????? As previously stated, there is a new team in town and they'll pass boring Chelsea to death. Some of us still seem to be living in the dark ages of Stuart Pearce. We are third in the league because we deserve to be, along with Arsenal we are the best team to watch in the country, and the atmosphere in the ground yesterday was brilliant, reminded me of the old days at Maine road when the banter started between the stands!!!! We are the south stand!!!!!

Devon Blue, Devon (08/10/2007 at 10:58)

Johnson Should not be risked at England u/21 and be given the treatment he needs now. Look at Owen he has overcome a opp in less Than two weeks. We should not fear Chelsea Away as we put up a good preformance against a far better team at the Emirates

Happyblue, Failsworth (08/10/2007 at 11:30)

come on people if ever we were able to beat chelsea NOW IS THAT TIME !

Eric, Dutch, 32 years and still here (08/10/2007 at 11:55)

If the City medical staff think he needs an op and the England staff agrees, he might as well be on his way to hospital. I read it could also cure with a period of rest, that being a good thing for Johnson as he's still very young and only played 1st team football recently (although it seems much longer). Let's wait and see, and try to stay as relaxed as Sven does.

blue to bits, Old Trafford,Stretford. (08/10/2007 at 13:04)

The time has come for me to make a public apology to one and all who frequent this site regularly.

I did not want shinia Twain to take over because I feared his background

I did not want Sven as manager because his style of football with England was boring.

I did not believe for one minute that 8 unknowns from all over the world would settle in Manchester and play a style of football not seen since the 60's/70's (apart from one year under KK in a lower division)

I backed them with good money to be in the bottom 3 after 6 games!!!!!

and I promised all who responded to my negativity that if I got it wrong I would apologise

WELL THIS IS MY APOLOGY!!!!!

To all those who kept their head when people like me were losing theirs congratulations you are true city fans.

ELANO who ho,ELANO who ho ho hOOOOOOO

uptoeleven, London (08/10/2007 at 15:15)

Eriksson doesn't go for old, experienced players, I doubt we will be signing Viera. Maybe a player LIKE Viera, but like he was about 10 years ago...

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