Hughes: Johnson will bounce back

QPR manager Mark Hughes has backed Andy Johnson to come back stronger from the cruciate ligament injury that will see him miss the majority of the season.

The 31-year-old joined Hoops this summer after his contract expired at Fulham and made an impressive start to life in W12. However, that came to an abrupt halt on Saturday after Johnson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during the 0-0 draw with west London rivals Chelsea.

It is the latest in a long line of injury blows that have disrupted the former England international's career in recent times, although manager Hughes has backed him to make a successful return. "He was playing exceptionally well at the time and had been in previous games so to lose his experience and ability is a blow to us," he told www.qpr.co.uk.

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.