JOHNSON ADMITS BORO FRUSTRATION

Johnson - becoming frustrated.

Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson admits he is growing increasingly frustrated in Stewart Downing's shadow.

The 21-year-old is rated as one of the best young wingers in England, but his chances have been limited by the fact he has Downing ahead of him in the pecking order.

Johnson is determined to battle for his place at Boro, but admits he will not hang around forever and could make the same decision as Lee Cattermole, who joined Wigan this week after failing to seal a regular starting spot.

Johnson, who has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham, said: "I have talked with the manager and we are only three matches into pre-season, so I don't want to be seen as saying this, that and the other, moaning.

"But as time goes on I'm getting more and more frustrated. I just want to play. I'm more than ready to step up.

"I'm aware of the speculation centred on me over the last couple of seasons and I have always said that I can't be around forever in Stewart Downing's shadow.

"I don't want to leave, this is the team I want to play for week in and week out, but if that's not going to happen then I'm not scared to leave, like Lee has. I will go somewhere else, but my main aim is to play for Middlesbrough."

Johnson had a hugely successful spell on loan at Championship side Watford last season, but he insists he has no intention of doing the same again this term.

"I have been on loan twice," he continued.

"I was at Leeds when they were struggling and then Watford, so I think I have proven myself in the Championship. I don't want to head back to the Championship again.

"I want to be a Premier League player, I want to start for England Under-21s and a lot of those players play in the Premier League every week.

"I don't want to step down a level again as a stop-gap just to get more games. I have done that."

Johnson says he wants to stay at Boro and feels he could play in the same team as Downing.

"All I want to do is play football, I want to be in the team and showing people what I can do, what I am all about," he told the Northern Echo.

"I have always said that there are not many left wingers in the country. People say I'm so unlucky to be behind the only left-footed England international winger. I am, but I also want to be known as my own sort of player.

I'm different to Stewart, most people know that. Hopefully we can play in the same team."