Johnson has made over 100 appearances for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan has refused to speculate on a first-team return for winger Adam Johnson over the festive period.

Johnson, 22, has been out with a hamstring injury and despite positive news on his condition, Strachan will not be rushing him back to action.

"He's done a bit of training," Strachan told BBC Tees.

"Hamstrings have to be fully recovered, I want to make sure that's right and I don't want to damage him long-term."

Sunderland-born, Johnson progressed through the Middlesbrough academy before making his first-team debut for the club in March 2005, coming on as a substitute in a Uefa Cup tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Following loan-spells at Leeds United and Watford, the England under-21 international found his opportunities limited by the form of England senior winger Stewart Downing.

However following Downing's departure in the summer, Johnson has established himself as a first-team regular at the Riverside, particularly on the left-wing.

He has made 113 appearances in all competitions, scoring 13 goals, and was involved in the club's run to the 2006 Uefa Cup final, although he did not feature against Seville in Eindhoven.

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