New Deal For AJ

Last updated : 08 February 2011 By Kevin Markey
Mark Hughes has given Johnson the incentive of a fresh contract after the player missed much of 2010 after a knee op a year ago plus shoulder and hip problems.

Hughes said: "He has 18 months left and I want to keep him. He had a significant injury and he's been out for a considerable length of time.

"He's missed a lot of football and we're hopeful now that he'll have a run of games and his career will progress without injury.

"We're starting to see the best of him. Now thankfully he's added goals. He's in good shape at the moment.

"He was in the England squad prior to his injury problems. Who is to say that if he keeps himself fit he can't get himself back into those squads?"