Johnson calls time on career

Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson has announced his retirement.

Johnson has been sidelined since the close of 2005, following surgery that ultimately proved unsuccessful in attempting to cure a disc problem.

Throughout his career, the 30-year-old proved to be a regular goalscorer and during spells at Bury and Ipswich firmly established himself as a fans' favourite, after initially starting out at Manchester United.

Johnson tried to join up with his team-mates for pre-season training, but quickly realised that his career as a professional was drawing to a premature close.

"I worked throughout the summer trying to get myself to a good level of fitness and when we went to Italy on the pre-season tour I joined in with the lads for the first training session but was in some discomfort," said Johnson.

"I trained again the next day and was in so much agony I started to doubt in my own mind whether it would ever clear up.

"I had a long chat with the manager about it and then spoke to several doctors and on their advice I decided the time was right to announce my retirement.

"The doctors all agreed it was in my best interests to call it a day."