What Next For AJ?

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What next for Andrew Johnson?

Date: 8th October 2010 at 5:19 pm |

Written by Jack Howlett


One door has temporarily closed for an England striker at Craven Cottage but another one may just have opened. Bobby Zamora, who earned his first England cap in August, is set for a further four months on the treatment table as he recovers from a broken leg sustained in a home tie against Wolves. Yet Fulham fans' fears will be partially assuaged by the imminent return of a striker who has previously featured for the Three Lions and was largely absent last year. Andy Johnson returned to first team training late last month after being sidelined with a knee injury since January. With the Cottagers currently without the services of Zamora and summer signing Moussa Dembele, there may be scant time for Johnson to adjust back to the rigours of Premier League football.

Fulham have named a Johnson on the team sheet in recent matches. On closer inspection this of course has been Eddie Johnson, the American forward signed for £3 million in 2008. He had not started a league game since March 2008 before being forced into the limelight once again. The other Johnson's return will come as a welcome but necessary boost to the club and its supporters. Signed by the west Londoners for £10.5 million in 2008, the former Everton man has endured torrid luck with injuries. His troublesome knee has been operated on by the world renowned Dr Richard Steadman. Mark Hughes has outlined the efforts to get the forward back to fitness. "Andy is joining in with the senior squad and we've got matches, behind closed doors, organised for his benefit in the coming weeks." Their aim is to ready Johnson for a return after the international break, though he may be utilised cautiously at first.

Fulham fans may have forgotten why their club paid such a copious fee for the 29-year old. Johnson began his career at St Andrews but shot up in the estimations and awareness of many whilst at Crystal Palace. The Bedford born attacker became a hero at Selhurst Park as he scored 32 times to help the south London side to gain promotion to the PL in 2004. The following season he was the top English marksman in the division, scoring 21 goals, only being outdone by Arsenal's Thierry Henry. His performances attracted the attention of Sven-Goran Eriksson who made him the first Palace player since Nigel Martyn to represent the national team.

The next season, however, the club dropped out of the top flight and despite initially staying loyal a second promotion was not secured, prompting Everton to swoop for him in 2006. His early form for the Toffees endeared him to the fans, scoring six in his first seven games and bagging an impressive brace in a derby win over Liverpool. The frighteningly quick and diminutive striker acquired a reputation for going to ground in the penalty area with the slightest of touches. This widespread impression spread across the referring fraternity who invariably dismissed the supposed frivolity of his appeals.

The recruitment of new forwards saw Johnson fall down the pecking order at Goodison Park, where he grew increasingly frustrated at watching from the bench. Everton begrudgingly accepted Fulham's generous offer. He scored his first Fulham goals at home to Wigan Athletic. His brace took him past the milestone of 100 league goals, a feat which was documented on his vest which he duly revealed with a lift of his shirt. It was not a celebration high on spontaneity but was indicative of his pride and emotion. His respectable tally of ten league goals helped the team secure a European place.

Due to injury the popular forward missed the opportunity to participate in those memorable European nights at Craven Cottage against the likes of Juventus. Having been sidelined for an important part of the club's history, Johnson will undoubtedly be keen to hit the ground running later this month. Hughes has stated that Eddie Johnson and Diomansy Kamara can shoulder the burden in the absence of Zamora. Judging by the latter's finishing at Upton Park last week, AJ's presence may be needed more than ever.

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