Johnson set for surgery
06 Nov 2007 - 09:22:06
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson looks set to be sidelined for most of November after his troublesome groin injury flared up again during Monday's 1-0 victory against Sunderland.
The 19-year-old midfielder had to be substituted at half-time and City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson fears the worst.
"Our doctor and physios along with a surgeon will decide whether he needs an operation on Tuesday," confirmed the former England boss.
"One thing is clear, he cannot go on like this because he plays but then cannot train for a few days.
"We all know what a talent he is. He should be getting better, but he is in pain one day and not on the next, so he's not taking that step forward. He would do if was fit."
Commenting on his side's victory, City's seventh successive home win this term, Eriksson added: "We said on the bench at the start of the second half that if we score first, we'll win the game. There were few chances for either side, but that's what we expected.
"It was a battle to win the second balls, but it's important to defend well, which we did.
"After a 6-0 defeat (at Chelsea) you want that, a tough mentality and the will to battle. We didn't play the best football, but we know we can do that as well.
"We're in a fantastic position, and we'll try to keep that as long as possible, to be third just a few points off the top two is not bad."