Johnson relishes scrap for World Cup places

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson believes the fight for places in England's World Cup squad will go right down to the wire.

Johnson made a good impression in his brief cameo as a late substitute during Monday's 3-1 win over Mexico at Wembley and the youngster could be a surprise face in England's 23-man World Cup squad when Fabio Capello announces his final cut on June 1.

With seven England players set to be left at home, Johnson knows the scrap to secure a seat on the plane to South Africa is certain to continue throughout training at the team's Austrian retreat and in next weekend's friendly against Japan.

The 22-year-old's first international appearance came hot on the heels of some impressive displays in training and he is confident of proving to Capello he is worth included in the squad.

"The competition for places is fierce. The training has been really sharp with everyone trying to impress the manager and obviously he has a really tough decision to make," Johnson said.

"The squad announcement is very close now. It's just around the corner. We have one more friendly to hopefully try to impress again and we'll see what happens."

"Everyone is fighting for their place and trying extra hard. Now we go back to Austria and we have one more game. I'll give it my all."

"For me it's my first squad. Everything that comes, I'll take, because I'm not used to this kind of thing."

"Every training session, I'll do my best and relax and try not to think about the squad announcement."

"There's obviously some people who are going to be disappointed but, you never know, maybe I won't be one of them."

Johnson operated on the left flank when he came on against Mexico but is happy to play on either wing if called upon by Capello.

Chelsea star Joe Cole, Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon are Johnson's main competition in the battle for the wide berths in Capello's squad, but even if he misses out the former Middlesbrough star is happy just to have had a taste of England action.

"I don't mind playing either side, to be honest. I think they are both similar. If you are a winger you can play on both because it's the same job," he said.

"I've played a lot on the right for City this season, I think I've started every game on the right and I've felt really comfortable out there."

"But I have played on the left all my life and that is comfortable to me as well. I'll play either side."

"It was fantastic to have my first experience of England. It's what everyone wants to do when they are a kid and I got a few touches."

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