Glen Johnson will continue to play through the pain barrier to help England progress in Euro 2012.
Defender shrugs off toe infection to help England cause
Defender Glen Johnson will continue to play through the pain barrier to help England progress in Euro 2012.
The Liverpool right-back suffered a toe infection towards the end of the domestic campaign and needed pain-killers to play in the final four Premier League games.
He is still troubled by the infection but is prepared to ignore the pain as he seeks to help Roy Hodgson's side progress out of Group D, with a clash with Sweden on Friday next up.
He said: "For the last four Premier League games I had a toe infection and was playing with three injections just to kill the pain.
"I've been on anti-biotics for pretty much five weeks now. It's still there (the pain) but it is manageable. I came off them (the anti-biotics) for five days and it got a lot worse so I'm still on them.
Doing something
"I'm training but it is sore after games. They (the anti-biotics) are obviously doing something. It's still there.
"But we are in the European Championships. I'm not going to let my little toe stop me from playing.
"We've got two more group games and you want to enjoy your moments and give it your hardest every game."
Johnson started the 1-1 draw on Monday and helped stifle the threat of the French, who dominated possession for long spells but only created a handful of openings.
He added: "They are a fantastic side and I think the lads did well to dig in and show good character.
"It was difficult, it was very hot. They had the majority of the possession so we are doing the harder work.
"We go into every game trying to win but it was a good point."
