England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed Glen Johnson will be fit to face Montenegro on Tuesday even if he needs an injection to ease a long-standing toe problem.
Johnson first suffered the injury at the back end of last season. At one point it seemed his chance of appearing at Euro 2012 were in doubt, although eventually, the Liverpool man found a solution that allowed him to complete an ever-present record in the tournament.
"We hope it will get better in the next couple of days," said Hodgson. "If it doesn't it might need an injection but there is no problem. It was just a precautionary measure because I felt we had enough players without taking any unnecessary risks."
The 28-year-old has started a further five games since to consolidate his position as Hodgson's first-choice right-back but he was missing on Friday night, with Kyle Walker instead preferred for the eight-goal massacre of San Marino.
That Johnson did not even get changed gave the impression something was wrong, and Hodgson has confirmed the former Chelsea star's absence was to rest the toe injury that has re-surfaced at an unfortunate time.
"In the Euros he had a slight toe problem which we had to look after," said Hodgson. "All of a sudden it has occurred, although not to the same extent.
"There is no doubt he could have played (against San Marino). We could even have had him on the bench. But it would have meant an injection and I preferred to continue the treatment so he didn't have to put a boot on."
Hodgson was full of praise for Walker's performance, yet it does seem the intention is to use Johnson in the more testing environment of Podgorica on Tuesday.
Source: PA
