Liverpool FC’s Glen Johnson delighted to be back with England after injury nightmare

Nov 14 2011 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

GLEN JOHNSON admits he found it difficult to deal with being sidelined through injury – but is delighted to now be back in the England fold.

The Liverpool full-back’s recent hamstring problems meant he not only missed the beginning of the Premier League season but was absent from the last three European Championship qualifiers with his country.

But fit again, the 27-year-old was handed an international recall by manager Fabio Capello against Spain at Wembley on Saturday night and put in an encouraging performance in the 1-0 win.

Johnson says there were some real low points on the road to recovery, especially the setbacks he suffered in pre-season and earlier in the current campaign, but hopes the injury hell is behind him.

Earning a 35th cap, Johnson (below) says building on the weekend’s victory over the World and European champions is all about belief in the England squad and realising the potential they have heading towards Euro 2012.

The Reds right-back insists he was not concerning himself with the emergence of Chris Smalling as a new threat for his place in Capello’s starting team or that many felt the form of Micah Richards or Kyle Walker warranted a call-up.

Johnson was focused purely on returning to full fitness as soon as possible.

“I’m very grateful,” said Johnson after winning a recall from Capello.

“I’ve had some disappointing times with the injuries but hopefully that is behind me now.

“I tore my hamstring at the end of last season and in pretty much the same place in pre-season. In rehab I did the same thing again so obviously it’s hard to stay positive and do the right things.

“All I want to do is play football. Some days you have good days and think ‘I’m getting there’ and the next day you’ll have a bad day, so there’s lots of up and downs. But hopefully the worst is behind me now.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything to be honest. I was just thinking about the injury and myself. I’m confident in my ability and the main objective was to get back fit.

“In every position you are going to get people who want one person to play and others who want someone else to play. That’s the industry we’re in and there’s nothing I can do about that but all I can do is worry about myself and take it from there.”

On the win against Spain, Johnson added: “It was a great performance and a great result so the lads are buzzing.

“The lads played well out there and made it difficult for Spain. Fantastic performance from the lads and I think we thoroughly deserved the win.

“Our tactics were to just worry about ourselves and not be scared of them, basically. It was a good effort all round.”