Last Updated: Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:32
Martin O'Neill has backed Adam Johnson to fire his way back into the England reckoning with his performances for Sunderland.
Following his £10m summer switch from Manchester City the former England star has struggled for form but a goal last weekend at Everton could change all that.
Johnson has been overlooked by England boss Roy Hodgson, as they prepare to face Sweden in a friendly, but O'Neill believes the wide man will be able to fire his way back into the reckoning if he carries on improving, with the Everton match comfortably his best performance of the season.
He told the Journal: "I firmly believe he is a player who will come good again and regain the sort of form which put him into the England squad in the first place.
"It has been a difficult time for him. Steven Fletcher has settled in well and grabbed himself a few goals straight away, but Adam has found it harder.
"He picked up an injury while away with England in September but that is not causing him any problem whatsoever now.
"To get him off and running immediately would have been fantastic for us, however, it does not mean you discard him just because he has not set the world alight, certainly when he does it will be good for the team."
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