February 7 2005

Andy Johnson

Andrew Johnson was delighted at his England call-up at the weekend.

Johnson left his boots behind in the dressing room after the game on Saturday thinking he had blown his chance of an England call-up due to missing two good chances against Bolton.

Fortunately for him, someone suggested he took them out of the transportation skip headed for Beckenham because he just might need them on England duty at Villa Park.

"I was sure I wasn't going to get the call, in the England Under 16, 17 and 18 teams I had always been given advance warning with a letter and an itinerary, so I genuinely thought I had missed out when I hadn't heard anything by Saturday.

"I left my boots in the dressing room after the game on Saturday because I was sure I wasn't going to get called up. They were put in a skip and were being taken to the training ground but I decided to go back and get them just in case. It's just as well I did because I've worn them in."

Johnson is excited at the prospect of training with superstar players such as David Beckham.

He added: "I saw David Beckham's name come up in the squad list and it made me realise that there is millions of pounds worth of talent in the England squad. To know that you will be training with so many world class players is an amazing feeling.

"I'm not expecting to play and I'm just going to enjoy the experience. If I get called on to play on Wednesday night then it will be an honour to represent my country."