'Pillar' Johnson determined to keep on pitch.

SOMEWHAT appropriately, Chinese whispers accounted for the confusion over Roger Johnson's leg injury.

The defender was hobbling about as Blues fought to keep their 1-0 lead over Fulham in tact.

Lee Carsley got stripped and was ready to replace him, but the substitution never came to pass.

"Roger sent messages to the back four that he was struggling," explained Alex McLeish.

"I think a lot of players like to tell you they are struggling but despite that I'll stay on.

"We got the message he was done. The Chinese whispers started going from Roger has got a knock to Roger is ready to collapse so we needed to get him off.

"We didn't want him to come off obviously. He was a pillar in there but when he came to the touchine, he said he was all right. I think they just like to hear themselves get mentioned in the press for being so brave!" McLeish added: "He has been tremendous for us and typical of the type of character I want in my dressing room."