Winger switch may be on hold

ADAM Johnson’s ankle injury could scupper Shaun Wright–Phillips’ hopes of leaving Manchester City.

The winger handed in a transfer request over the weekend and played no part in yesterday’s 1–1 FA Cup draw at Notts County.

But with Johnson condemned to spend three months on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle ligament injury in training on Thursday and the transfer window closing tonight, manager Roberto Mancini does not feel he has sufficient time to find a replacement if he allows Wright–Phillips to go.

Johnson’s absence is a major blow to City as he was a regular contributor for the Blues this season, even if the former Middlesbrough man did not start as often as he would have liked.

It is a problem for Fabio Capello, too, as Johnson will now miss the Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 26.

At least skipper Carlos Tevez should be back for Wednesday’s trip to Birmingham City after sitting out the Meadow Lane encounter with a back injury.

In Tevez’s absence, £27million new boy Edin Dzeko became the hero, scoring his first City goal 10 minutes from time to salvage a replay after Neal Bishop had nodded the hosts in front after an hour.

County boss Paul Ince was full of praise for his players.



NOTTS County were today awaiting a written complaint from Manchester City after another sexism row allegedly blew up as the teams met in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
City are to send a formal letter of complaint to County after a senior official was denied access to the area around the dressing rooms at Meadow Lane.

Vicky Kloss, City’s director of communications, was attempting to make contact with manager Roberto Mancini ahead of his TV interviews before the FA Cup tie when she was told by a steward she would not be allowed into the players’ tunnel.

City claimed she was told she was being denied entry because she is a woman, which Notts County deny.

More angry words were exchanged after the 1–1 draw.