Sheffield Wednesday v Blackpool: Johnson has several reasons to smile as he looks to extend stay

It is why the Jamaican, already in his fifth year with the Owls, is desperate to earn a new contract to keep him at Hillsborough beyond the summer.

“I do want to stay,” said Johnson ahead of tonight’s FA Cup fourth-round replay at home to Blackpool when asked about his current deal being due to expire in four months.

“The city is a good place for me and I have a lot of Jamaican friends here. The football club is also one I like.

“My time at Sheffield Wednesday has been the one, football-wise, that I have enjoyed the most.

“When I was at Bolton (Johnson’s first club in England), I didn’t get much football so wasn’t happy. That hasn’t been the case since I came here.

“I love the atmosphere here. I don’t see myself as a player playing in front of 5,000-6,000 every week. Instead, I see myself at Wednesday for a long time, though that is up to the gaffer, of course.

“I just know it would be a pleasure to sign a new contract.”

Gary Megson, when asked yesterday in his pre-match press conference about potential new deals for his players, was adamant nothing will be offered until the end of the season when Wednesday hope to be in the Championship.

It means the future of Johnson, who signed a 12-month deal last summer, is likely to be decided by his on-field exploits between now and the end of the season.

On that score, the 31-year-old, who joined the Owls from Bradford City five years ago, is certainly giving himself every chance of being granted an extension.

In the last five games, Johnson has netted three goals that would have graced the Premier League. Two, against Hartlepool United and Scunthorpe United last month, involved jinking through several would-be tacklers before finishing with aplomb.

His most recent came on Saturday with a thunderbolt strike that set Wednesday on their way to a 2-1 win against Yeovil Town after Megson’s side had fallen behind during the first half.

All three goals were of the highest order and had any been scored in the Premier League they would have been repeated time and time again on television.

Asked which he preferred, Johnson is in little doubt. He said: “The one against Yeovil was probably my favourite because I hit it so well.

“Taking on players – like I did with the other two – is part of my game but maybe my shooting has not been. So that made it more special.”

Johnson’s recent scoring exploits have drawn rich praise from manager Megson, which when pointed out to the Owls wideman elicits a big grin.

“To be honest, the shouting does my head in at times,” says the Jamaican international before adding: “No, seriously, he is the gaffer and has been good for me.

“I might not like the shouting, especially when I am not playing really well. The shouting can make it hard to concentrate. But that is his job and he is helping me.

“He has really helped me and I am enjoying my football again. I think my training has gone really well and I feel fitter than I have felt in the past. It is allowing me to track back more.

“Going forward hasn’t been a problem but defending has been. Being fitter has helped me.

“Mentally, I also feel better. I had a few things away from the football that were keeping me from doing my best.

“I don’t want to say what they were, I am a person who likes to keep stuff to myself and try to work it out on my own.

“But it was starting to affect my football. Plus, I was not playing at the time so it was not a good time for me. Now, though, everything is behind me and I am feeling a lot happier. It has helped my football.”

Megson will make several changes tonight as they go head-to-head with Blackpool for the prize of a fifth-round trip to Premier League Everton.

Ian Holloway is likely to do the same when naming the Seasiders’ starting XI and Megson is adamant his side can go one better than the first meeting when the Championship club rescued a replay with a last-minute penalty.

Johnson also shares that confidence, his own personal motivation being added to by the knowledge that a win tonight will mean Wednesday’s fifth round tie being beamed live around the world.

Last six games: Sheffield Wednesday LDWDDW, Blackpool WDWDWW.

Referee: A D’Urso (Essex).

Last time: Sheffield Wednesday 0 Blackpool 0; August 11, 2011; League Cup.