Adam Johnson has already been dubbed the new Robinho by mickey-taking team-mates.

But now the level-headed City new boy aims to knuckle down to try to live up to his jocular nickname.

The 22-year-old is in the City squad for Saturday's trip to Hull but may have to settle for a place on the bench after a week of settling in to his new club.

Before his transfer deadline day move from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £8.5m, Johnson had to put up with a few good-natured jibes from his pals, who declared him to be Robinho's replacement.

The truth is that Johnson is aiming higher than Robinho, who left for Santos on a six-month loan the day before Johnson signed as he could not nail down a first-team place.

"There has been a bit of banter off some of my old team-mates, but Robinho is a world-class player and I can't think too much about that," said Johnson, who was also the subject of bids from his home-town club Sunderland and Wolves, and has been closely watched by United.

"I just have to come in, play my own game and see what happens. The lads up at Boro were talking about me replacing the British record transfer. It was all friendly banter, but I just aim to be my own player."

City competition

Robinho may have gone, but the reality of the move has started to hit home to Johnson as he gazed around the dressing room at names like Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy.

He realised then that he is in for a tough fight to land a place in the team.

He said: "There is always competition for places at top clubs. But I have had to pinch myself when I have looked around the dressing room and seen the types of players we have here - it's a lot different to Middlesbrough!"

Johnson has been given plenty of encouragement from the City lads who know him best, his former England under-21 team-mates Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards.

"Nedum told me to just come and play my own game and he couldn't see why I shouldn't be able to force my way into the team," said Johnson.

"But it's all about me working hard, and learning and listening to the manager and the coaches."

Manager Roberto Mancini revealed that he was finally persuaded to make Johnson the biggest signing of the English transfer window after seeing him turn out for Boro against City in the FA Cup third round last month.

Johnson only lasted half an hour before limping off with a hamstring problem, but for Mancini, who also had the player recommended by assistant Brian Kidd, that was enough.

"We wanted him because he is young and English, and for me he can be a top player in the future if he wants," said the Italian.

"I remember those first 30 minutes for Middlesbrough against us - he ran very quickly, showed plenty of skills and we were lucky that he lasted only 30 minutes!"

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