Johnson intent on ignoring his pain in Ukraine

The Liverpool right-back developed the infection towards the end of the domestic campaign and needed pain-killers to play in the final four games.

Johnson is still troubled by the problem but is prepared to ignore any discomfort after helping England start their campaign with a 1-1 draw with France in Donetsk on Monday night.

He said: “For the last four Premier League games I had a toe infection and was playing with three injections just to kill the pain.

“I’ve been on anti-biotics for pretty much five weeks now. It’s still there (the pain) but it is manageable. I came off them (the anti-biotics) for five days and it got a lot worse so I’m still on them.

“I’m training but it is sore after games. They (the anti-biotics) are obviously doing something. It’s still there.

“But we are in the European Championships. I’m not going to let my little toe stop me from playing.

“We’ve got two more group games and you want to enjoy your moments and give it your hardest every game.”

Johnson helped stifle the threat of the French, who dominated possession for long spells but only created a handful of openings.

He said: “They are a fantastic side and I think the lads did well to dig in and show good character.

“It was difficult, it was very hot. They had the majority of the possession so we are doing the harder work.

“We go into every game trying to win but it was a good point.”

Meanwhile, Scott Parker is confident he will be fit to face Sweden on Friday and continue his partnership with captain Steven Gerrard, which was effective against the French.

Parker, troubled by an Achilles injury before the tournament, was substituted during the second half after he and Gerrard had worked tirelessly in the sweltering conditions.

He said: “I didn’t really want to come off, but was feeling some cramp so thought it was the best decision in the end. We’ve got another two games so I have to keep going.

“It’s a very intense tournament and the conditions are very difficult. It was very hot out there, but I’m sure I’ll be fine for the next game.

“Myself and Steven just have to keep going. We have to, don’t we? If selected I’m sure we can keep going.

“There’s not a lot of cover in midfield, but I’m sure we’ll be fine, and we have got other boys who can come in.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made his first competitive start for England against France, says he has no regrets that his family were not there to witness it.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was the surprise inclusion in England coach Roy Hodgson’s side in Donetsk.

His family – including his father Mark, the former England international – were reported to be reluctant to travel to Ukraine because of the threat of being subjected to racism.

But when asked if he regretted not being watched by his family, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “They are on holiday, they are just on holiday. There was a lot said but I can’t say any of it is true at all.

“They are just enjoying a nice holiday. For me, it’s enough that they are watching on the TV.

“I spoke to them also. I don’t need them to fly out here to support me. They are always there.

“I spoke to dad briefly because he was struggling to get a signal on his phone in Portugal. I managed to get a two-minute conversation.

“He said ‘if you do get on and play, all the best’. That was it.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain showed glimpses of his potential against France but is refusing to contemplate the prospect of becoming a regular starter under Hodgson.

He said: “It was a massive honour for me to get out there and represent my country in a competition like this. It was a nice surprise but one I needed to expect and be ready for when it came.

“But look, I’m only 18. Any chance I get, I’ll try and take with two hands. I’m always learning from the boys around me. I’m grateful for any chance I get.

“There are really good players in all positions and there are a lot of competition for places and I’m sure there will be squad rotation.

“We’ve got the players to do it and there is a lot of physical demands from game to game.

“There is a lot of competition for places and whether I keep my place, is not for me to say.

“I’ll just keep working hard in training and if I do get the call, I’ll give it my all.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain believes England can build on their promising start to the tournament when they face Sweden in Kiev on Friday.

He said: “We would have liked to win and with going ahead, it was unfortunate we couldn’t hold out. But the way the game shaped up, they had a lot of possession and for us to come out with the draw was a good step.

“It’s a good start for us, we can build from here and we can definitely get stronger and we showed our quality as well in glimpses.”