Capello hails 'big talent' AJ

Fabio Capello has hinted Adam Johnson may have forced his way into England's starting lineup after hailing the Manchester City winger as a "big talent".

Capello dropped the former Middlesbrough flyer from his World Cup squad but drooled over the tricky 23-year-old performamce against Switzerland, in which he netted his second international goal in two games.

The Italian said: "He’s a good player. A really good player. He’s a big talent. A big talent.

”He’s fast. Technically he’s really good. He plays always with good confidence. He’s a dangerous player when he arrives near the box. He shoots so well.

“Sometimes he plays like a young player. For this reason, when you play in the national team, you can’t play like a young player. You have to play like a senior. You have to be focused and play in that way to be dangerous always."

Johnson, who has split time with England team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips at City this season, was equally delighted with his performance after coming on for crocked Theo Walcott.

He said: "The aim is to make a contribution. You’re disappointed not to be starting and you want to do your best when you come on and try to push to get into the starting XI. I tried to do that and got a couple of goals.

"We’ve come off the back of two great wins and everyone is happy. It’s a great two results and we’re looking forward to meeting up again full of confidence.

"It’s brilliant. Coming into the qualifying group there was a lot of pressure on us and I think with two wins, and we’re top of the group, we’re full of confidence and we want to push on."

Johnson was one of six City players on the pitch at the final whistle and he said: "It’s a credit to the club, hopefully that will continue."