Rehabilitated paceman Mitchell Johnson gets ringing endorsement from James Pattinson JAMES Pattinson has given a ringing endorsement to Mitchell Johnson as the rehabilitated paceman looks to make an Ashes comeback. Pattinson was impressed by Johnson's performance in the recent ODI series in England, which has many judges tipping a recall for him in the Ashes. Mitch Johnson bowled fantastically in the one-day series over in England, he swung the ball well and bowled it with pace. I think he's up there pushing for a place (of) someone like Mitch Starc if he's out for the summer. Pattinson has had own injury concerns and is using Pilates as his main source of recovery from his second major back problems in as many years. Given he'll have to play domestic cricket before he's even considered for a Test spot, it's unclear whether Pattinson will be fit in time for the first Ashes Test. "I'd probably have to play a Shield game before I play that first Test," Pattinson said. I'm still not sure whether I'll be right. We've had a couple other bowlers go down, so the last thing we'd want to do is push it too far. If Pattinson makes the field he should be at the head of the welcoming committee for England's Stuart Broad. Monty Panesar and Ben Stokes have been named in England's Ashes squad, despite off-field incidents. Broad is expected to be public enemy No.1 Down Under after being the centre of several controversial incidents during the Ashes series in England. The fast bowler first drew the Aussies' ire when he refused to walk despite getting a thick edge that was taken by captain Michael Clarke at first slip (after rebounding off Brad Haddin's gloves), and didn't endear himself to cricket fans by constantly wasting time by taking off his shoe during key moments throughout the series. Pattinson, who didn't play the second half of the series, suspects Broad will be in for a bit of an ear-bashing this summer. "I suppose there's a quiet bit of banter going on when you're out there - it wouldn't be cricket without that," Pattinson told foxsports.com.au. James Pattinson has backed Mitchell Johnson, above, to snag an Ashes spot. I'm sure the public will give him his fair share when he gets over here. The average Aussie cricketers' definition of 'a quiet bit of banter' should see Broad the object of plenty of on-field sledging.