LEFT FOR DEAD ... Adam Johnson blasts home against Stoke

ADAM JOHNSON feared he would spend Christmas fretting over his Euro 2012 place.

The Manchester City winger was ready to knock on boss Roberto Mancini's door after being snubbed in December.

But he got his festive wish by being restored to the starting line-up for the midweek win over Stoke.

And he responded — as he has often done this season — by scoring as the Etihad outfit cemented their place as Christmas No 1.

The former Middlesbrough winger said: "I was thinking of speaking to the manager because I hadn't started since the Carling Cup at Arsenal, but when I found I was starting against Stoke I was happy.

"I don't mind the rotation system as long as you are rotating fairly and hopefully that will continue now.

"Obviously I've been awfully disappointed I haven't played all the games but since I came in I've scored five goals in five starts and that's all I can keep doing."

The stakes are high for Johnson as he is desperate to be part of Fabio Capello's squad for Poland and Ukraine.

He cannot bear the thought of being axed at the last minute, as he was before the World Cup two years ago.

AJ said: "I was speaking to my dad about England because that's another thing in the back of my mind. I know Fabio Capello likes everyone to be playing every week.

"It's a major thing for me, to try and go there having missed out on the World Cup. I've just got to try and keep playing well then think about that when the time comes."

Mancini admits he has been hard on Johnson because he rates the winger so highly.

AJ said: "He can criticise as well as praise you and I've never had a problem with that. I'm not the type to let those things bother me. I take it on board and continue to work hard in training every day so there's no problems there."

As well as starring in Euro 2012, Johnson's other New Year wish is to pick up a few more medals.

City look well placed to do that as they sit on top of the tree but he knows Manchester United — who are also their FA Cup opponents — will push them all the way.

He said: "United will always be there or thereabouts and will never give up.

"There is still a long way to go and people are talking about it being a two-horse race, but a lot can happen in the Premier League.

"As long as we are in contention coming towards the end of the season that's the main thing.

"With our squad we can always have fresh players coming in and hopefully this will stand us in good stead for the end of the season."