Michael Johnson is back in Sky Blue and has started the long road back to full fitness. Fair play to Mark Hughes for believing in the lad through his fight to make his come back…
Today, Johhno spoke to the official site of his absolute delight at taking the field in a City shirt as a late substitute against West Ham:
‘It was great to get back. It has been too long and the fans were wonderful with me from the moment I warmed up to when I got on the pitch. Until recently I have could not remember when was the last time I had been pain free.’
MJ revealed the intensive treatment he has undergone in a bid to end his abdominal injury nightmare:
‘I recently visited Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich and he has fixed me and though I am nowhere near fit yet in terms of matches I am able to get through work and games without pain. That is fantastic. I stayed a week in Germany and had a course of injections into my back and spine. I don’t know what he put in there but it worked!’
Johnno went on to explain how he has remained determined despite repeated setbacks. There are some scurrilous hacks out there who have printed all sorts of rumours about the 21 year old in the past and are already slagging the lad for his weight. Easy to do. They should bear in mind the psychological problems the kid will have gone through this past 14 months.
‘I never felt like I wouldn’t come back but the whole absence has toughened me up mentally and that will serve me in good stead because as much as this game is about fitness and skill you need to be mentally attuned too. The worst thing about being out for so long is that it erodes your confidence and that is what I need to build up…I am still a young lad and I now appreciate more than ever what I have got. I am so keen to get back because playing football is the best thing in the world.
…I hope people don’t expect too much too soon. I have a year of not playing and I am just glad to get out on a pitch and get running around.’
City could have dumped Michael Johnson.
Sparky could have ditched him and decided the treatment involved and persistent, difficult to cure injury problems were all too much.
But to his and the club’s immense credit they stood by him and have given him a taste of Premier League action at the earliest opportunity.
Sparky rates Johnno and so did we. After all, he’s one of our own.
JOIN VITAL MANCHESTER CITY:
Vital Manchester City was the fastest growing Independent City Website last season and has a membership now standing at 1800 strong. There’s more to come – Be Here Now and join the debate in our Forums as City’s intriguing season gathers pace.
Share this article
