Manchester City's Michael Johnson career threatened by mystery injury

Michael Johnson is fighting to save his career.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes admits the midfielder is still plagued by the mystery pelvic problem that has sidelined him for eight months.

Johnson, 21, was compared to City legend Colin Bell when he broke into the first team in 2006. But he has not played since the Carling Cup defeat at Brighton last September.

Hughes said: "Michael's situation is a frustration to everybody and we have come to the point where we hope it isn't a threat to his career.

"We keep getting him close to fitness and then he breaks down again and, to be honest, we don't really know the exact nature of the problem.

"It's worrying. Michael's seen all the specialists and he's had more scans than anyone I know.

"We've been down a number of different routes and he still feels pain. We keep on getting close and then he'll break down again, "He has great potential, but things really need to improve for next season.

"Michael feels pain when he makes certain movements. It's the pelvis area.

"The hip, the thighs and the back are all related and that's the area of the body where footballers get all their power from."

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