December 20 2005

Andy Johnson

Iain Dowie believes Andy Johnson can make the England World Cup squad this summer.

Johnson, 24, has seven goals for Palace despite missing two months of the season with a knee injury.

The striker has been strongly linked with a move to the Premiership, where many observers feel he has to play if he wants to be selected for England.

But Dowie says Johnson is still in Sven-Goran Erikkson's plans, despite playing in the Championship.

Dowie said: "Andy will give [assistant manager] Tord Grip and Sven something to think about. We had an independent coach come to watch Andy play. His comment was Johnson is a special player.

"I spoke to Tord at the Arsenal-Ajax game two weeks ago. He was asking about him and whenever I have seen Tord he has always asked how Andy is. I think he is in their thoughts.

"If he goes on a run of goals, there is no reason why he can't jump back to being in that group of strikers.

"Andy just has to get on producing performances. They are aware of him and will have him watched. If he gets on a goal spurt, outside Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, I think the spots are up for grabs."