BRENNAN JOHNSON believes Crystal Palace’s Conference League quarter-final is the ideal antidote to his World Cup qualification pain.

The 24-year-old’s missed penalty was one of the reasons Wales ultimately did not advance to the final step after losing in a shoot-out to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-final play-off.

Johnson is straight back in high-stakes territory as the Eagles prepare to host Fiorentina in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final this evening.

“Of course everyone on the team was really upset,” said Johnson. “But coming back here, I had numerous messages from the fellas straight after the game and also the staff.

“It’s felt like a bit of fresh air. We’ve got some massive games to look forward to, so I think that’s really helped in focusing on something else, and it’s one we’re all really excited for.”

Jorgen Strand Larsen is suspended while Jean-Philippe Mateta has looked on form in training, scoring three goals in an in-house game, but might not be fit for the full 90 minutes.

Johnson, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in January, does not mind Palace being anointed as “favourites” in the Conference League.

He said: “Personally, I feel like I use that as confidence. When you get to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and you’re up against amazing teams, use it as confidence as much as we can, but at the same time know these teams provide real quality as well.”