Adam Johnson Injury Will Keep Manchester City Midfielder Out For Months

Adam Johnson's injury during midweek training comes at a very bad time for Manchester City - and it's also worse than previously feared. In a press conference following today's 1-1 draw against Nottingham County, a game in which Johnson would have featured had he not picked up an ankle injury, Roberto Mancini confirmed that the winger suffered ligament damage and would therefore be ruled out for at least three months and possibly the rest of the season.

While Johnson, 23, has not been a first-choice player for City this season, with David Silva and James Milner generally preferred, he's been extremely important as an impact substitute, and losing him is a major blow to their depth in wide areas. Johnson's injury will also have repercussions for other players: Shaun Wright-Phillips was expecting to leave the club this month and had gone so far as to hand in a transfer request, but without Johnson in the squad and less than two days left to procure reinforcements, the out-of-favour winger will not be allowed to leave.

Manchester City will now focus their transfer efforts on finding a short-term replacement for Johnson, who has contributed three goals and two assists during league play so far this season and is widely considered a future fixture for England.