Losing Miller was blow admits coach

The powerhouse striker has not figured since damaging knee ligaments against Portsmouth on December 7.

First team coach Grant reckons losing Miller was a major dent to the club's prospects in the top flight.

The coach said: "At the time Ishmael got his injury, he was starting to find his feet in the Premier League.

"In the two or three games prior to the injury he was starting to look like a Premier League player.

"If you look at the chances he had at Middlesbrough, he had three or four one-on-ones. I started to feel then that he was understanding what the Premier League was all about and he was feeling he should be part of that.

"Losing him was a massive blow for us because he is different to what we have with his power and pace.

"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."