Johnson looking forward after England knock-back

Manchester City winger Adam Johnson says he has put the disappointment of missing out on a World Cup place with England behind him and is relishing the battle for a first-team place next season.

The talented left-footer joined City from second-division Middlesbrough in February and forced his way into England contention with some beguiling performances in the second half of the season.

He was rewarded with an England call-up from Fabio Capello, only to be one of seven players cut from the Italian’s provisional 30-man squad.

“I had a really good summer,” he told the Manchester City website after reporting for pre-season training on Monday.

“I was obviously disappointed not to go to the World Cup but I was pleased with how the season had gone.

“I got my head down, got some rest, and went on holiday to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I’m not much of a gambler, but I had a few drinks to celebrate the season.”

England’s dismal World Cup showing, which saw them thrashed 4-1 by Germany in the round of 16, has heightened calls for the team to be injected with some new blood.

Johnson, 22, has been touted as a potential beneficiary of such a shake-up, but he will face even stiffer competition for places at Eastlands next season after City sealed the signing of Spanish international David Silva from Valencia.

Silva, like Johnson, is a left-footed attacking midfielder who often plays on the right, but the Englishman said he was relishing the competition for places.

“There’s a big squad here now but there’s also a lot of games, and everybody can’t play in every game — there’s Europe as well as the two cups,” he said.

“We need a good squad with strong people on the bench. There will obviously be changes for different games and I’m ready for that.

“It’s going to be exciting times. I can’t wait.”