Source: Telegraph
World Cup 2010: Adam Johnson looks to future despite England setback
The 22-year-old appeared on track to sneak into Fabio Capello's England squad when he made his debut in the pre-tournament friendly against Mexico after receiving his first international call-up. [LNB]But Johnson was not among the 23 players named yesterday and will instead have to watch the tournament from home. [LNB]''Of course I was a bit down when I got the news and my first thought was that I wish I'd had more of a chance to show what I could do in the two warm-up matches,'' he told mcfc.co.uk.[LNB]''I would have loved the chance to showcase what I can do on the biggest stage of all but I am not going to dwell on it. [LNB]''The England management made it clear to me that I have an international future and I am going to have a rest now and then get my head down and get ready to try and work my way into the side for September qualifiers. [LNB]''I suppose if you had mentioned the World Cup to me back in December I would have smiled but I had a thought in the back of my mind when I signed for City that if I did well I might have half a chance. [LNB]''I am going to take the positives out of the last two weeks.'' [LNB]Johnson came into the England reckoning after joining City from Middlesbrough in January and then dislodging Shaun Wright-Phillips, who is in the World Cup squad, from Roberto Mancini's starting XI. [LNB]Johnson's versatility appeared to count in his favour, but he played only six minutes of the friendly against Mexico before remaining on the sidelines throughout the Japan clash. [LNB]''I have worked with the squad, I have an England cap which is a wonderful honour and I know that I will be in the mind of the coach and his staff for the future,'' Johnson added. [LNB]''I am an England fan and in a way I built up so many bonds in the last couple of weeks that I will still feel part of it. [LNB]''I have spoken to Shaun (Wright-Phillips), wished him good luck and told him to go and do well. There are certainly no hard feelings towards him. [LNB]''I am delighted for Gareth (Barry) too. He has had a great season and it would have been so cruel for injury to have robbed him of a World Cup. [LNB]''The lads are fully capable of winning the World Cup. I think we have a great chance along with maybe two or three other sides. Of course we will need a bit of luck along the way that goes with winning anything in sport but no one should write off England's chances.'' [LNB]
