JERMAINE Johnson's international performances have put him back in the Premiership frame.

The quicksilver Jamaican - impressive in the recent preliminary rounds of the Gold Cup tournament - was pressed into service at Maine Road on Saturday after Sam Allardyce checked out his form with Reggae Boyz head coach, Carl Brown, who is back in the West Indies after a period on the Reebok backroom team.

"Jermaine scored three goals while he was out there," Sam Allardyce explained. "I spoke to Carl and he said he had done well. With our limited squad, he has a chance to get back on track and, if he can take it, that would be great."

The 22-year-old from Tivoli Gardens, a 67th minute substitute for Henrik Pedersen, was desperately close to marking his return with a goal that might have had City rocking but was denied when Peter Schmeichel saved his 79th minute shot with his legs then managed to keep out Jay Jay Okocha's follow-up.

Allardyce also took the opportunity on Saturday to give 17-year-old Salford defender, Danny Livesey, a brief run-out to add to the experience he gained earlier in the season with his appearances against Liverpool in the Premiership and Bury in the Worthington Cup.

"At 2-0 down it didn't look like we were going to get back into it so I thought we'd put him on and give him a little more experience. The way the injuries are going, we'll be needing him sooner or later.

"He did well and I'm pleased about that."