McLeish salutes brave Johnson

Midfielder plays despite fractured skull

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 14th January 2008

damien johnson birmingham

Johnson: Man in the mask

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Alex McLeish has hailed the battling attitude of Damien Johnson after the midfielder played in a face mask during Birmingham's 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.

The midfielder fractured his skull during the Premier League game with Fulham on 29th December and was forced to sit out the Blues' last two matches against Manchester United and Huddersfield.

After missing the start of the season with a hamstring injury the Northern Ireland international was desperate to play at the Emirates and, with the help of a specially designed mask, he was able to complete the full 90 minutes.

With Birmingham sat perilously close to the relegation zone McLeish is going to need all of his players to follow Johnson's lead and prove their fighting spirit over the next few months.

Bravery

"He's my type of player," the Scot said.

"I like players who show that kind of bravery.

"A lot of players would not have done it but Damien has the heart and that kind of character where he's ready to put his body on the line.

"I saw him making whole-hearted headers. Any other guy would have shrunk their neck."