Mitchell Johnson admits he felt nervous ahead of his comeback to the Test arena.

Johnson ended a year on the Test sidelines with an encouraging six-wicket haul against South Africa in Perth less than four weeks ago – although it wasn’t enough to avoid being rotated straight out of the side for the opening clash against Sri Lanka.

Johnson is almost certain to return for the Boxing Day clash, perhaps at the expense of fellow left-armer Mitchell Starc, who will be rested for one of the next two Tests.

Johnson is thrilled to be back in the frame, 13 months after his Test career appeared to be on the skids.

But the 31-year-old veteran of 48 Tests was still nervous ahead of his return against the powerhouse Proteas.

“I probably didn’t show it but the first over or so was a bit nerve-wracking,” he said on Sunday.

“Playing state cricket, you don’t get the crowds, you don’t get the media, so the pressure is very different.

“It was quite different out there when I started bowling.

“You realise that all these people are watching you again.

“It was nice to get out there and play against South Africa and do well there and it would have been nice to win the Test match after the guys fought really hard over the first couple of Tests.

“I never doubted there was a role for me.

“It was just a matter of getting the opportunity again.”

Johnson was even able to take a positive out of missing out on a spot in the first Test against Sri Lanka to accommodate the return of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus.

Rather than stick around in Hobart to perform the traditional 12th-man duties, Johnson returned to Perth to spend time with partner Jessica Bratich and their baby daughter Rubika, who was born on December 5.