West Brom: Ishmael Miller plans New Year return

Oct 9 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

“I had it done again and this time it has healed perfectly so I’m looking forward to a full recovery.

“Realistically I’ll hopefully be back for the last few months of the season.

‘‘I’m looking at perhaps January/February time.

“Anything quicker than that will be a blessing.

“I’ve got a long career still ahead of me and it’s just one year that’s been taken out of it – that’s the way I look at it.”

Knee injuries can test a footballer both physically and mentally.

Miller, who signed a new five-year deal recently, is confident he will be a much improved player when he returns. He added: “I’ll be mentally better. I’ve matured a lot over this past year.

“I didn’t take football for granted but when you have to watch other people playing every week the hunger within you is frightening.

“I just can’t wait to come back because I think I’ll be even better.

“I don’t think the injury is going to take away my ability and I think I’ll be more focused.

“You see the likes of Michael Essien and he has come back from this injury and looks like a beast – like he’s never been away.”