MANCHESTER CITY NEWS
Johnson vows to remain at City long-term
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Adam Johnson has had limited first-team chances in recent times
• City look to sell to buy
• Balotelli committed 'until June'
Johnson, who signed for City in January, has spoken out about his frustration with life as a substitute at Eastlands and recently said he would "definitely consider" his options if he was not a first-team regular.
However, he has now said those comments were not a true reflection of his feelings.
"The first thing I thought when you read something like that is that the fans will think I want to get away," he said in the Manchester Evening News. "That hurt, because I care more about what the fans think than what anybody else thinks.
"I think the fans understand that I just want to play. When I play I try to give 100% every time and I think that comes across in the way that I play.
"I said something in a moment of frustration and things can get blown out of proportion.
"I am happy here. I love playing football more than anything and I'd love to play in every game, but it would be wrong to think I want to leave. I don't.
"My future is here long-term, without a doubt. I've only been here eight months but my career has already changed for the better. It would be stupid of me to want to leave."
Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini has also played down suggestions Mario Balotelli will move on at the end of the season.
Balotelli was seen in a restaurant with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani after the Milan derby and did little to dampen speculation of a summer move when he said he was committed to City "until June".
However, Mancini said: "In Milan there is a restaurant where all the Milan and Inter players and owners go. This is normal.
"But he must start to play before he leaves. He has a five-year contract and he has only played four games."
Balotelli, 20, is currently suspended after his red card against West Brom and Mancini feels he has much to learn.
"He must change his mentality," he said. "He must think about playing because if he plays here he can score every game.
"He can't afford to talk with the referee. He needs to think about his job because he can make a difference on the pitch."
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