Capello contemplates Johnson World Cup call-up

England manager Fabio Capello has revealed he is considering uncapped Manchester City winger Adam Johnson for international duty just a month before he names his provisional World Cup squad.

Johnson has never been called up to a senior England party but with David Beckham definitely ruled out through injury, Aaron Lennon struggling for fitness and Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips not at their best, the 22-year-old could find himself on his way to South Africa.

That would cap a remarkable rise for Johnson, who until January was playing football in the second-tier Championship for Middlesbrough.

Capello, who is due to name his provisional squad on May 16, told the BBC’s Football Focus: “Adam Johnson has come up from the Championship at Middlesbrough, where he played in a different position, and he’s done well with Manchester City.

“Now it’s important he gets some international experience,” added the Italian of Johnson, who can play on either the left or right wing.

Johnson, who scored four goals in 19 appearances for the England Under-21s, could make his senior debut in England’s final pre-World Cup friendly, against Mexico at Wembley, on May 24.

But Johnson downplayed talk of a World Cup berth by saying: “I was playing in the Championship in January and now people are talking about me playing for England.

“It’s nice hearing it but I’m still young. I just want to push on and try to be the best player I can be. You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground and not get too carried away.”

Meanwhile Capello said he planned to go back to media work when his England contract expires after the 2012 European Championships although the 63-year-old refused to rule out a return to club coaching.

“From my part there are no problems,” he said. After that (2012), I will commentate just as I did before I got England’s call.”

“I am nevertheless always interested in new and fascinating situations and difficult challenges,” he said.

“Having been a national team coach, to guide a club is very different but I don’t close any doors.”