Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has said that he was surprised to be left out of the England squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
The 26-year-old helped the Black Cats to avoid relegation from the Premier League last season with a string of impressive displays.
Johnson believes that his form warranted a place in Roy Hodgson's squad for the tournament.
"On the whole, since the new gaffer [Gus Poyet] came in, I've been happy with my form," he told the Sunderland Echo.
"It was then that I started scoring a few goals and getting back to my best form and from January onwards is probably the best I have played in my career.
"Everyone would be saying that I was playing really well at [Manchester] City when I was getting into England squads, but personally I think this is the best spell I've had as a footballer."
Johnson won the last of his 12 England caps in August 2012.
Written by
Steven Toplis
Steven Toplis
