Johnno's return great news, but patience required

The highlight of Wednesday's in-the-end comfortable win over Nigel Adkins' Scunthorpe at Eastlands, for me anyway, though i imagine for a good number of fellow fans, was the return of midfielder Michael Johnson. Seeing the lad in a sky blue shirt again was an absolute pleasure, and easily surpasses any result or performance.

Quite simply, Johnson, when fit, is an exceptional footballer. Though comparisons to the great Colin Bell were never anything more than lazy even stupid terrace banter, the boy's shown us enough to believe we've got a player there who could potentially be a special talent. Sven's season here saw Johnson prove pivotal, and it's only been Stevie Ireland pushing on since that's to some degree softened the blow of losing Michael.

His year-long absence from the side has courted much speculation, none of it backed up with anything resembling fact. If rumours were to be believed Johnno's spent those twelve months boosting the profits of brewers and publicans throughout the city, an in-joke turning into the odd alleged spotting around town, and through the internet and idle rumour some start taking this unfounded gossip as gospel.

Those within the game will tell you what a good footballer Johnson is. Truth be told, had he been fit we might not have even entered market for Gareth Barry. Though different types of player they both have the unique skill of being able to make whatever they do look effortless, and similarly to the £12m purchase from Aston Villa Johnson is well capable of playing more than one role in central midfield.

What we do have to be a bit careful with is expecting too much too soon. During his cameos against Scunthorpe, and even West Ham, he demonstrated some nice touches and glimpses of his past form, but it may well have to be a case of baby steps, edging him back in gently, fifteen or twenty minutes here and there, plus some reserve football, with the realistic goal of having him fully fit by the start of next season.

With the finances now available to the manager, though, fewer and fewer academy players will get regular football in the first-team. In one respect that's sad, we all appreciate young lads coming through and making the grade, but as fans we accept that we can't have it both ways. Johnson and Ireland, however, are two that we know have the natural talent to play a big part irrespective of who arrives. The thought of seeing the pair of them lining up in the same midfield certainly whets the appetite.