The England under-21 international, who is seen as a major part of Mark Hughes' bid to build a top-four side, is having sessions with experts in the ancient Indian discipline in a bid to ease the constant pain that has plagued him for more than a year.

Johnson, who signed a new five-year contract last month, has made just 36 league starts in two years since he made his debut in a defeat at Wigan.

In that time the 20-year-old has not managed a run of more than 10 consecutive Premier League games in one campaign as he has been dogged by a series of groin and pelvic problems that have been operated on.

So far this campaign he has managed just the opening three games, and since the win at Sunderland at the end of August has been seen only once, in the Carling Cup defeat at Brighton.

Boss Hughes is hoping that the yoga will help get Johnson back on the pitch sooner rather than later.

"He is still having problems with pain and has not been training with the main group. We are trying to look at all avenues in an effort to settle the problem down," confirmed the manager.

"For quite some time now he has had pain and irritation from that area which at times has really hampered him and on other occasions he has been able to manage.

"Everything is geared to getting Michael fit and well and being able to play and managing the level of pain that he is having at the moment.

"Hopefully the breaks in the season for internationals will allow us to take him out of the firing line somewhat.

"Maybe he needs more strengthening work and more core work to take the pressure off an area of weakness in his body.

"It is hard for him because he needs to be able to train and play. His fitness is an issue and we need to get on top of it. He has not had a lot of football so far this season and his training has been disrupted too and for his sake we need to clear the problem up. Michael is a big part of what we want to do here.

"He is a young man who really can develop at City. We have all already been very impressed with the qualities that he has shown so everything is there for him to continue to improve and I am sure that in years to come he will be an England regular without any shadow of doubt.

"Michael is a great talent with a great future in front of him."