Johnson revelling in return to fitness

24 January 2011 09:30
Andy Johnson admits he may have rushed back from knee surgery as he finally looks forward to an injury-free run in the Fulham side. Johnson produced arguably his best display since his return from nine months on the sidelines in the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Stoke, the 29-year-old setting up Clint Dempsey's opening goal and proving a thorn in the visitors' side throughout. The striker made his comeback in October and Fulham rightly eased him back in with a string of substitute appearances before his first start. But that failed to prevent him picking up a hamstring strain over the festive period and yesterday was his first start since New Year's Day. Asked if the injury might have been caused by coming back too soon, Johnson said: "Maybe, yeah. You just don't know. When your body feels right, there's no point waiting an extra two or three weeks. You might as well just join in. "That's how I felt. My knee felt really good. I came back from my knee injury probably three, four, five weeks quicker than everyone expected and, yeah, you always get those little niggles, hamstring niggles, thigh, quad, stuff like that."

Source: PA