Adam Johnson has admitted he is finding life on the bench at Manchester City hard.
Although he has made 16 appearances for the Blues so far this term in a season that only extends to 19 matches, only half of them have been as a member of Roberto Mancini's starting line-up.
"I wouldn't say I was great with it," the 23-year-old told Key 103. "I am the type of person that wants to play football all the time, so it is hard to watch."
Johnson's only Premier League start since the beginning of September came at Blackpool last month and he was restricted to a 20-minute cameo in Wednesday's Manchester derby.
For a player who made such a positive impact following his arrival from Middlesbrough, his fall from grace has been hard to comprehend, particularly as he played a starring role against Liverpool in August and subsequently scored in both matches as England made a flying start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign by beating Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Johnson continued: "I will still do my best and try to get back into the team but it is a little bit frustrating because I started the season well and my form was really good.
"But I have still tended to find myself on the bench."
Johnson appears to be the major loser following David Silva's £24million summer arrival from Valencia.
Part of Spain's triumphant World Cup-winning squad this summer, Silva's late return for pre-season training probably explains why Johnson - a £6million arrival from Middlesbrough - was eased out by Mancini after starting the year in his team.
"Last season I was playing from the start every game and I had the same impact," he said. "The game against Liverpool at the beginning of the season was great for me. Now I have to get my head down now and try to get back into the team."
Source: PA
