Man City winger Johnson hopeful of making to England World Cup squad

London, Mar 16 (ANI): With injured ace midfielder David Beckham ruled out of this year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Manchester City's 22-year-old winger Adam Johnson, who caught the eye with a brilliant equaliser against Sunderland, fancies his chances of playing for England.

Johnson's equaliser against Sunderland in Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light kept Manchester City's Champions League hopes alive, but prompted Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini to say the player is not yet ready for the Three Lions.

Yet David Beckham's injury has dramatically changed the equation.

The former Middlesbrough favourite was in the provisional squad for the Egypt friendly and will now come under scrutiny with a wide midfield berth up for grabs.

"Yes, of course I'd love to think I've an outside chance. If I can keep playing and score a few more goals, then you get talked about a bit more and you never know - especially if a couple of injuries come along," The Sun quoted Johnson, as saying.

"I was in the provisional 30-man squad for Egypt. Yet if someone had said to me in December I'd even be in the provisional squad for England, I wouldn't have believed them," he said.

"I've come quite a long way in a short space of time and I was obviously disappointed not to make that final squad.

"I think now I just have to slow down, keep going, keep working hard and, hopefully, score a few more goals like that at Sunderland. All I can do is keep performing for City and, with luck, I'll get the call. Stranger things have happened," Johnson added.

His impressive City start, capped by Sunday's excellent goal, has made plenty of people sit up and take notice.

Johnson said: "I think the profile is bigger at City. You are on Sky TV every week and get talked about all the time. Everyone wants to watch us, with all the big players we have and all the money that has been spent. This is the best place for me to get seen and to progress my career." (ANI)