Town striker David Johnson is today reported as being a potential target for Jamaican Yardie gangs should he ever set foot on his native island again. The player is said to have shown Jamaica 'ultimate disrespect', considered a very serious matter to those living within the island's street code.

Johnson played several friendlies for Jamaica and according to Jamaican sources had committed himself to the Reggae Boyz. Then came the recent hoo-ha with him training with the Welsh before finally committing himself to Scotland.

Horace Burrell, the president of the JFF (Jamaican Football Federation) said: "David's decision has not only disappointed myself and the other JFF executives. Thousands of our fans also feel personally let down.

"It is unfortunate that David has decided not to join us after we made him feel so welcome. We fully expected him to commit himself to Jamaica and he went on national TV to pledge his future with us. But there is little we can do to make him change his mind."

The seriousness of the threat was borne out by comments made by Kingston police chief Francis Ford who warned that Johnson would need a bodyguard if he returned to the island.

He said: "Football is a religion here and it is taken very seriously. I would advise Mr Johnson to exercise extreme caution if he plans to return and to consider the effect his decision has had in Jamaica.

"But we'll strive to weed out the source of these threats. We cannot and will not allow these guys to dictate who will visit the island. These gangs give us all a bad name and we're continually battling to bring them down."

No comment as yet from Portman Road on the most serious twist so far to the Johnson international saga.

Town look likely to line-up without the multi-nationalitied Johnson tomorrow after his tangle with Nicky Weaver on Wednesday left him with a thigh injury. Richard Naylor and Jonas Axeldal, who both played impressively as subs at Maine Road, stand by.

Town will also be missing Jim Magilton who is suspended for the next three games. Jermaine Wright looks likely to deputise.

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