Point-saver Adam Johnson was hailed by his manager as a future England star after his brilliant late strike rescued City at Sunderland.

The 22-year-old winger picked the perfect moment to score his first goal for the Blues, against the team he supported as a boy.

Roberto Mancini hinted that this summer's World Cup may be slightly too soon for the player who signed for the Blues in January in a deal worth around £8.5m.

However, with Shaun Wright-Phillips - the man he replaced as a substitute - and Theo Walcott both in patchy form, Aaron Lennon injured and David Beckham being ruled out after suffering a serious injury on Sunday night, Johnson's cameo display at the Stadium of Light could earn him a surprise call-up for South Africa.

Mancini, who scored a few spectacular goals in his own playing days, singled him out as a future international star.

"He is a young player but a good one and could be a good player in the future England team," he said.

But he added a note of caution after Johnson himself rated his chances of booking a place in the England squad as slim.

The Blues boss warned he has plenty to learn, saying: "He has to develop. This was only his fourth or fifth game in the Premier League, so he needs time.

"He plays without fear, but needs to play more, and I have Shaun, Craig Bellamy and many other players as well who can play there."

Johnson's wonder strike capped a second-half fightback by City, who looked to have been denied by man of the match, Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon. And it left Mancini with a mixture of relief, frustration and elation.

"Adam scored a fantastic goal but before that we had four or five chances - it was too easy, but this is football," he said. "It's a missed opportunity to take three points, and that is frustrating."

The draw intensified the battle for fourth place, with Liverpool set to rejoin the fray with Spurs and City if they beat Portsmouth at Anfield tonight.

And Mancini insists there is all to play for. He said: "We have a game in hand, and must play Spurs at home, so we have a good chance."

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