Ishmael Miller's injury hit us hard says West Brom's Peter Grant

Apr 9 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

ISHMAEL Miller’s long-term injury had a huge effect on Albion’s chances of survival, according to Peter Grant.

The young striker suffered cruciate damage following a collision with David James in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth back in December.

Baggies first-team coach Grant believes Miller was just starting to get used to top flight football at the time of his injury.

And Grant feels he would have made a difference.

“At the time Ishmael got his injury, he was starting to find his feet in the Premier League,” Grant told the Birmingham Mail.

“If you look at the chances he had at Middlesbrough, he had three or four one-on-ones.

“But in the two or three games prior to the injury he was starting to look like a Premier League player.

“He was understanding what the Premier League was all about so losing him was a massive blow for us because he is different to what we have with his power and pace.

“And the opposition were worried about him. It’s a great thing to have as a striker if the opposition are worried about you and he was starting to prove that.