DAMIEN JOHNSON will stay with Town as he recovers from knee surgery.
As his parent club Plymouth prepare to visit the Galpharm for a League I game on Tuesday, Lee Clark has confirmed the on-loan midfielder, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, will get his total backing.
“We signed Damien on a season-long loan, and we’re keen to give him 100% support as he works his way back to full fitness,” said Clark of the former Northern Ireland star.
“He did an outstanding job – I don’t think there was a more consistent player around – and he’s very much a part of our squad.”
Johnson, who watched the 1-0 derby win over Sheffield Wednesday and had his operation on Thursday, was injured during the 2-1 home win over leaders Brighton on December 11.
It was a 23rd Town appearance for the 32-year-old former Birmingham player, whose midfield duties have now fallen to Kevin Kilbane, the Republic of Ireland international brought in on loan from Hull.
Plymouth, 12th to Town’s fourth in the table, head for Bournemouth on League I duty today with speculation mounting about the Home Park future of striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.
