Manchester City Football Club

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:47805

Hughes voices Johnson fears

10 May 2009 - 17:23:33

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes says he is seriously concerned by midfielder Michael Johnson's long-term battle with a pelvic problem.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined since September, with the Citizens unable to get to the bottom of Johnson's problems.

Hughes said: "Michael's situation is a frustration to everybody and we have come to the point where we hope it isn't a threat to his career.

"We keep getting him close to fitness and then he breaks down again and, to be honest, we don't really know the exact nature of the problem.

"It's worrying. Michael's seen all the specialists and he's had more scans than anyone I know.

"We've been down a number of different routes and he still feels pain. We keep on getting close and then he'll break down again.

"He has great potential, but things really need to improve for next season. Michael feels pain when he makes certain movements. It's the pelvis area.

"The hip, the thighs and the back are all related and that's the area of the body where footballers get all their power from."