Town chairman David Sheepshanks and manager George Burley have made a joint press statement regarding the David Johnson situation, however the reports today that Johnson is in fact eligible for the Home Nations is ignored: "It has only now come to light that David Johnson is ineligible to play for any home nation other than England. He meets the prime conditions of having been born abroad (in Jamaica) and now being a UK Citizen. He was brought up in England by foster parents since he was a young boy but it has now emerged that his natural mother was in fact born in England and we understand that this factor alone disqualifies him from choosing to play for any of the other Home Nations.

We are dismayed for David Johnson as in our view he is an innocent party in this sorry state of affairs. He has been courted by Northern Ireland, then Wales and latterly Scotland and yet he informs us that not once has he either been told of this requirement concerning the birth place of a natural parent nor ever asked if he complied with that regulation. He was personally unaware of the existence of this rule or any possible problem until a few days ago when he was asked quite correctly by Scotland to fill out a questionnaire. Subsequent research revealed that his natural mother had actually been born in England, a fact that he says even he had been unaware of until now. It is clearly a big disappointment for Scotland as well as the player, however it is regrettable that so much publicity was given to his possible selection before all the facts were properly checked.

As regards the immediate past, it seems perfectly natural that he should have wished to take his time before selecting which country to play for as he had several countries chasing his signature. Such a decision was clearly important to his career development and it is the dream of any footballer to play on the international stage. David Johnson has been an unwitting participant in what has become a most unfortunate charade. The whole episode is open to ridicule and highlights the questionability of the regulations in respect of such international qualification.

Ipswich Town Football Club fully support David Johnson and we are only concerned now that he can be free to concentrate on his career with us and get back to continuing his excellent goal scoring form that will enable both him and ourselves to realise our dream of future success."

When will it all end?

Town have announced their squad for tomorrow's game with Blackburn at Ewood Park. Main doubts are strikers Scowcroft and Johnson, both of whom will have fitness tests. Full squad: R Wright, Salmon, Wilnis, Clapham, Croft, Venus, Mowbray, McGreal, Thetis, Brown, Holland, J Wright, Stockwell, Scowcroft, Johnson, Naylor, Holster, Axeldal and Logan.

Photo: Action Images

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