Johnson's battle with Mancini's hots up as winger warns: I'm not afraid to quit Manchester City

England winger Adam Johnson has conceded he may have to leave Manchester City to further his international career.

The 23-year-old has started only five Premier League games this season and admitted he is considering a move to ensure first-team football.

After playing only the final 17 minutes of last Wednesday's Manchester derby, Johnson told The Sun: 'Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it. The manager has to make decisions but I was gutted to be left out.'

Johnson, who has four years left on the contract he signed in February, added: 'With the players we have, it will be a rotation but I am full of confidence and I just want to be playing.

'I have got to train and get on with it, nothing is going to change. I have to keep the right frame of mind and get in the team because I want to play for the national team as well

Mancini was surprisingly frank in his criticising Johnson last week, suggesting the player shouldn't believe his own hype. But Johnson believes he can do more than be consigned to the super sub role carved out by the boss.

'Last season and in games at the beginning of this season I was still having an impact when I started,' he said.

The former Middlesbrough player also offered his views on the former Inter Milan coach's much-criticised safety-first tactics.

'A lot of the players are attacking-minded players and want to attack,' he said. 'But I think what has been important to the manager is getting the shape right and working on our defensive shape.

'It has been about not conceding goals first and keeping clean sheets and then maybe nicking one.

'We have not been playing great or attractive football but we are getting results. If we can stay in the pack until after Christmas who knows what we can do. Maybe we could win it.'