Ryder, who scored a century in Otago's commanding nine-wicket victory over Canterbury, which was wrapped up in Rangiora yesterday, has had a great start to his first-class career with Otago, scoring tons in his first two games.
That has led to many calling for his return to the national side but Johnson said any moves to get Ryder back into the national side were the wrong ones.
''He's not ready. He's nowhere near it. He is coming back from being clinically very ill in the winter. He has played three games for us,'' Johnson said.
''He has got to earn his place and you can't do that after playing just three games. Plus there has got to be a place for him. The incumbent test player must have failed for him to get a place.''
Johnson said Ryder looked in good touch when he scored 120 off 113 balls in Otago's first innings.
''Jesse is Jesse. He may fail now and again but he will keep turning it on most times.''
Yesterday, Otago took just under two hours to get the final five Canterbury wickets, leaving the side needing just 62 runs.
Otago got there with the loss of just Aaron Redmond's wicket. Michael Bracewell brought up the victory in emphatic fashion, hitting a six to win the game.
Neil Wagner took five wickets in the second innings, to give him nine for the match, and Johnson said he had bowled well.
''He is just continuing on and he should be in good form for the test coming up. I thought we bowled well, bowled a good length and in partnerships.''
Canterbury had fought a rearguard action in its first innings, with the last-wicket pair putting on 89 runs.
That threatened to happen again yesterday as the tail started to string together some runs but eventually, Wagner managed to get Tim Johnston out and Canterbury could not get much of a lead.
Otago knocked off the target inside nine overs.
Bracewell's big hit to win the game backed up his century in the first innings. He also scored a century - like Ryder - in the first game against Wellington.
Johnson said Bracewell was maturing into a fine cricketer after working hard over the past few months.
''The majority of his runs now are coming between mid-on and mid-off. That is not only to pace bowlers, but against the spinners he is hitting with the spin and up the ground.''
With the win, Otago has gone to the top of the Plunket Shield table although it is early days, with sides having only played one or two games.
Johnson said the Volts were in need of a rest after some twenty20 games and the first-class match.
Otago's next fixture is a four-day match against Northern Districts in Whangarei, starting on December 4.
