New injury blow for Albion's Miller

The Baggies fear Miller could be sidelined for several months, after he re-injured the knee ligament that wrecked his campaign last season.

A distraught Miller has undergone fresh surgery and was missing as the Baggies began training at their pre-season camp in Slovenia.

Albion officials are remaining cautious when speaking of Miller's latest problem while they await a clearer diagnosis, which is expected later this week.

But Miller's team-mates fear the powerful striker could be missing until the New Year.

The former Manchester City trainee has not played since last December, when he damaged a cruciate ligament in a freak collision with Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: "He has a little problem with the knee that's been operated on.

"There are a few complications there, so we will have to see what the problem is.

"He will probably be out for a little while. It's difficult to say how long right now, but we will probably know more next week. He did it during training last week.

"Let's see what the assessment is and we'll take it from there."

Albion were also without the injured James Morrison and Neil Clement as they began training in Ptuj, but Di Matteo is expecting a productive week.

He said: "We will still be working hard and we will be starting to work tactically a bit more.

"The last 10 days have been focussed on the physical side of things, because some players only got back two or three days ago and are only just starting to do their work."

Baggies fans got their first sight of Simon Cox on Saturday in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Histon.

The £1.5million striker gave a lively performance, despite seeing a late penalty saved by Histon keeper Danny Naisbitt.

Di Matteo added: "It's hard to give a judgement when you know they are tired after double-sessions all week, but I thought he showed some good movement."