Man City winger targets World Cup squad

Johnson joined City in a £7.5million move from Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.

He said: “With the World Cup coming up, stranger things have happened. When I signed for City there were little things in my head telling me to make the move.

“In the Championship I wasn’t being seen, never mind being picked for England. I needed to be on the TV and getting talked about, which wasn’t happening.

“When the opportunity came up to leave Middlesbrough and join a big club, things like England became a factor

“I hope I can make the jump and go to South Africa with England. I’ve got to continue to play like I did in my first home game and then I might get a sniff.

“I’ve had no indication, just some banter with the lads about it, but nothing concrete yet.”

Johnson added: “I have modelled my game on Giggs, he’s been the best player in England for the past 20 years.

“I wanted to further my career and I wanted to join the biggest club I could when the opportunity came.

“There has been speculation about me for a long time, ever since I was 18 and a young player at Middlesbrough.

“I’ve been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United before and it’s all very flattering, but City were the first club to make a concrete offer.

“With the quality of players we have, I wanted to come and learn from them.”