Danny Johnson eager to show his worth after "difficult" Walsall return

Johnson emerged from the bench to rescue a point for Walsall with a 90th-minute equaliser in their 2-2 draw at promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night. 

No player has scored more goals as a substitute than Johnson (five) in League Two this term, with the Middlesbrough-born marksman averaging 1.43 league goals per 90. 

The 32-year-old, who was handed his first league start in over 14 months last weekend, has notched eight goals in total across all competitions this season. 

He admitted that his lack of minutes has been a source of frustration since returning to the club permanently in 2023 but that he will continue to do everything for the team during the League Two run-in.

"It's been a difficult spell for myself. I've wanted more minutes, I want to be playing more and I want to show what I can do," Johnson said.

"When I can get out there, I've got to do that. Like tonight [on Tuesday], I've got my goal again and that's all I can keep doing. 

"It just always seems to fall that there is always a little chapter or a little spell that comes back. I'm delighted to come back, get that goal and as long as we get three points then that's all that matters." 

Johnson started every game of his loan spell during the 2022-23 season - scoring 12 goals in 22 matches in League Two under Michael Flynn. 

Since penning permanent terms, Johnson has made just over 75 per cent of his 45 appearances as a substitute in the fourth-tier, with just 11 league starts during the past two seasons.

When asked what has changed between his two spells, he responded: "I'm not sure. Not getting the game time, I'm not someone that is really good at being in and out [of the team]. 

"I've never really been a coming on and change the game player, I've always been starting. 

"So I've found that really difficult. I can only do what I can do when I get on the pitch and I know when that balls drops in the box that I'll score." 

His late leveller helped Walsall gain their lead at the League Two summit to two points after second-place Bradford City fell to a 2-0 defeat against Port Vale on Tuesday. 

Johnson might be one of the more experienced heads in the dressing room but is chasing a first promotion in the Football League himself.

He has praised the young players within the squad for dealing with the pressure of competing at the top and is excited to individually be entering unchartered territory too.

"Yes I think so [that I can bring leadership qualities]," he added. 

"We've got quite a senior front-line at this moment in time. Maybe the senior lads can help the younger lads out over the next few weeks. 

"But the younger lads are holding up brilliant as well. It's exciting for them and it's the first time I've been involved in this position going into the final few games. 

"So I'm still learning too but it's really exciting."