BEN JOHNSON NEWS

Not quite fit Johnson is still recovering despite returning to the bench last time out, according to manager Kieran McKenna. "Both are still not at 100%. They're still managing some those knocks...

Impact Johnson is still working his way back to fitness despite returning to the bench last time out. The defender will likely be on the bench against Bournemouth, though it's unclear if he will actually be fit enough to play there.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench Johnson (thigh) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against Crystal Palace.

Impact Johnson is making his return as expected Tuesday, earning a spot on the bench after two weeks out due to groin issues. This is good news for the club, as he has started in four of his nine appearances this campaign. That said, he should continue in a rotational role, seeing time between the bench and starting XI.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Could be option Tuesday Johnson is dealing with a "small muscular injury" but took part in Monday's training, and manager Kieran McKenna revealed he has a slight chance to be available for Tuesday's clash...

Impact Johnson took part in Monday's training session and could be a game-time call for Tuesday, but even if he doesn't feature against Palace, he's expected to return to action sooner rather than later. Johnson has started in four of his six appearances this season, tallying one assist, three chances created, 18 tackles, eight interceptions and eight clearances.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with thigh issues Johnson missed the club's match against Manchester United on Sunday due to an apparent thigh injury.

Impact Johnson was a scratch from Sunday's game against United, with the defender missing out with what has been deemed a thigh issue. This is a tough loss for the club, as he has started in the last three matches he has been an option for. That said, if he misses out, it will force a change, with Wes Burns likely to continue on the right flank of the attack.

NOVEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Johnson (thigh) is in the starting XI for Saturday's clash with Leicester.

Impact Johnson needed to pass a late fitness test to get the start Saturday, but it appears he did just that. The right-back has been the preferred option when fit, though staying fit has proven to be an issue. Johnson will hope to get a few starts to continue getting up to speed before the break.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Late call Saturday Johnson (thigh) trained Friday, and is a late call for Saturday's clash with Leicester, per manager Kieran McKenna.

Impact Johnson is dealing with a thigh injury and is a late doubt for Saturday's match against Leicester. The defender has been out for two matches with a thigh issue. When fit Johnson has started twice and gone unused three times on the bench, so his role is uncertain at best even when fit.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Out with thigh injury Johnson is out for Saturday's match against Brentford due to a thigh injury, according to manager Kieran McKenna, per Stuart Watson of the East Anglian Daily Times. "Ben is still...

Impact Johnson is set to miss out again, missing his second straight match due to his thigh issues. However, it appears he is nearing a return, with the club mentioning he could've been an option but they didn't want to risk it. That said, he will look to return in their next contest Harrison Clarke is likely to take his spot at right-back.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist Johnson assisted once to go with three crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 4-1 loss versus Manchester City.

Impact Johnson earned his first goal contribution since joining Ipswich Sunday, finding Samuel Szmodics in the seventh minute for the opening goal of the match. He got his first start of the season after Axel Tuanzebe started at right-back in their first match. He will hope to see more time in the starting role, although it looks likely that he will only share time with Tuanzebe.

AUGUST 25 • ROTOWIRE

Makes Ipswich move Johnson completed a free transfer to Ipswich Town on a four-year contract, the club announced.

Impact Johnson had fallen into a depth role with West Ham and now gets a permanent move to newly-promoted Ipswich, where he should compete for a place in the starting XI. The full-back's best season with West Ham saw him manage 20 appearances (16 starts) but he could never take a hold on the top job consistently.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Mainly serves off bench Johnson appeared in 14 games (four starts), registering five interceptions, 11 tackles, 13 clearances and 31 crosses.

Impact Johnson remained in a rotational role this campaign, much like the last, as he didn't see much time, and when he did, it was off the bench. He continues to see less time after getting his most starts in the 2021/22 campaign with 16, leading many to believe he could be on his way out. However, the club and player are currently in talks of a contract extension.

JUNE 7 • ROTOWIRE

West Ham don't plan to make Ben Johnson another contract offer - do pastures new beckon? Ben Johnson has turned down two contract extensions at West Ham, who feel they've already made their final offer. His future looks uncertain

JANUARY 26 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Three crosses Tuesday Johnson had three crosses (zero accurate) and two tackles in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Brighton. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 31st minute.

Impact Johnson was given only his second start and third appearance of the season against the Seagulls, having notched three crosses, two tackles and two clearances in the draw. The defender shouldn't be expected to end up in this position much this season, mainly serving off of the bench. In his three appearances this campaign, he has registered seven crosses, four clearances, three tackles and three interceptions.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Stays on bench Thursday Johnson (groin) was an unused sub in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa League.

Impact Johnson was part of the squad in Thursday's loss but didn't come off the bench. The defender should be available to play Everton on Sunday, though he's not expected to play a prominent role even if deemed fit to feature.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Travels in Europa League Johnson (groin) traveled for Thursday's clash with Olympiacos, according to manager David Moyes. "Ben Johnson and Aaron Cresswell are here and I think, if we need them to, they can...

Impact Johnson being fit once more is a nice depth return for the squad but is very unlikely to overly change the first team. The defender has yet to make a league appearances in 2023/24 and was limited to just 861 minutes in the Premier League in 2022/23.

OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not ready to return Johnson is not in the match day squad to face Aston Villa on Sunday.

Impact Johnson returned to training in the buildup to the match, but ultimately misses out on Sunday's squad as he continues to recover from a groin injury. Johnson has yet to appear in the Premier League this season after starting just nine matches a campaign ago.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in training Johnson (groin) was pictured in training over the break and should again be an option Sunday at Aston Villa.

Impact Johnson is far down the depth chart at West Ham this season, still yet to make an appearance in league play. His lone senior team appearance came in the League Cup when he went a full 90 against Lincoln City on Sept. 27 and that was also the last time he was healthy.

OCTOBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Thursday Johnson (undisclosed) will miss Thursday's Europa League matchup with SC Freiburg.

Impact Considering Johnson has yet to log any minutes in Premier League or Europa League action, his absence likely had minimal impact on the starting XI. Even once cleared to play, the defender figures to serve primarily as a bench option, making him a relative non-factor in fantasy contests.

OCTOBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In doubt Thursday Johnson picked up a knock and will be a doubt against SC Freiburg on Thursday after manager David Moyes told reporters, "Ben Johnson has picked up a little injury as well."

Impact Johnson's only appearance for the club this season came in the Carabao Cup matchup with Lincoln City, so his potential absence will have little impact on the starting XI for Thursday's tilt.

OCTOBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mostly backup option this season Johnson kept two clean sheets in 17 Premier League appearances (nine starts) mostly at either full-back position for West Ham this season.

Impact Johnson's playing time decreased a bit compared to the 2021/22 campaign, but the summer arrivals of Emerson and Thilo Kehrer are largely responsible for that as they added increased competition in defense. The 23-year-old Johnson has one year left on his contract heading into the summer, and he's a capable backup option who can fill in anywhere along the back line.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rice earns West Ham 1-1 draw at Southampton

Declan Rice denied Ralph Hasenhuttl a vital win as West Ham drew 1-1 at Southampton in the Premier League

OCTOBER 16, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starts in Conference League Johnson (hamstring) started and played the full 90 minutes in Thursday's 1-0 Europa Conference League victory against Anderlecht.

Impact Johnson had been out since August with a hamstring injury, but he made his first appearance in over a month Thursday with a start in the back-three against Anderlecht. He should be available for selection Sunday versus Fulham in the Premier League, where he had started in three of West Ham's four matches prior to his injury.

OCTOBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Edging closer to fitness Johnson (hamstring) has been training for about 10 days and could be an option as soon as Saturday's match against Wolves, according to manager David Moyes.

Impact Johnson has been out a month with a hamstring injury and he could be an option Saturday, though it's unlikely he'll be in the starting XI. His return would add another piece to the West Ham back line for a busy October and while he won't be starting every match, he's already shown versatility playing center-back and wing-back.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Two clearances in loss Johnson made two clearances and one interception during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

Impact Johnson has found consistent playing time to start the 2022/23 campaign but it's been at center-back, not right-back. While it's a move that is seeing Johnson on the pitch more often, and for a full 90 in each of the opening two matches, it's not one that helps his offensive upside. Barring an injury to Vladimir Coufal it seems that Johnson is set to stay in a more central position in the West Ham defense.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Forest rides luck, beats West Ham 1-0 for 1st EPL win

Nottingham Forest rode its luck before marking its first home game in the Premier League in 23 years with a 1-0 win over West Ham

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Playes 68 minutes in UEL Johnson (thigh) played 68 minutes off the bench in Thursday's Europa League loss against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Impact Johnson had to come on early Thursday after Aaron Cresswell went off with a straight red card. Johnson appears to be over his thigh issue which forced him to miss the last league match and he'll be in contention to start going forward, likely competing with Vladimir Coufal for minutes at right-back.

MAY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE