ISHMAEL Miller has revealed he is on course to start pre-season training with his team-mates in the summer and put his injury hell behind him once and for all.

The Baggies striker, who celebrated his 22nd birthday last week, has been sidelined since early December after damaging a cruciate ligament in his right leg in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

He is now making good progress after undergoing a successful operation with Andrew Williams - the same renowned London surgeon who also worked on the likes of Chelsea's Michael Essien and Joe Cole - and could return to light training in June.

"I'm doing well and flying at the minute," said Miller.

"But I've got to keep telling myself I can't rush back too quickly.

"I'm taking it steady but I am on schedule to get back quicker than some players.

"I had my operation in London, in January, and it was a complete success.

"He was a great surgeon - probably one of the best out there.

"A few other players like Joe Cole and Michael Essien had their knees done by the same guy.

"I've been working on the rowing machine.

"I've started jogging again on the trampet and I'm using the exercise bike.

"I reckon I'm about three months away from doing light training.

"I'll definitely be fit for the start of pre-season and it will be like a fresh start.

"I'll probably get a couple of weeks off in the summer to get some rest and relaxation.

"But I'll be working hard away from the training ground and will come back earlier than the rest of the boys for pre-season.

"I don't want any flaws because of my knee when we kick off the new season."

The former Manchester City hitman feels he was just getting to grips with the Barclays Premier League when he was struck down by injury.

He had notched three goals in his last seven games and was relishing the chance to reach his 12-goal target for the season.

"I was devastated because I'd just started getting going," added Miller.

"I was in top form, my career was on the right path and I was averaging a goal every two games at the time.

"I thought it was going to keep going and I would reach my target of 12 Premier League goals for the season.

"I had to get to grips with the injury.

"I had my family around me, supporting me to get my head around it.

"It didn't take me long to get my head around it but even until this day sometimes I catch myself thinking 'why did it happen to me?'

"But barring a miracle I had no choice but to get my head around it and be a man.

"I'm not really one of those sort of people to ask for advice.

"I usually get my head around things in my own way.

"I've spoken to Clem a fair bit because we've been doing our rehab together.

"I've also spoken to Filipe quite a bit because he had the same injury as me last season.

"Things are going faster than I thought they would and I've kept myself busy.

"My head is in a good place and hopefully I'll be able to keep it that way.

"Obviously I've seen quite a few players come and go through the treatment room this season and I can't wait until it's me back out there on the training pitch.

"Hopefully I'll come back even stronger than before."

The pace ace admits it has been frustrating not being able to contribute to Albion's survival bid in recent months.

But he firmly believes his team-mates have what it takes to keep the club in the top flight.

"We've all got to pull together and I feel we'll be okay if everyone puts 110 per cent in," he said.

"But it's going to be tough.

"The atmosphere is still good and we can't get down on ourselves.

"I've had quite a lot of banter with Mozza about making sure the players keep me in the Premier League.

"And hopefully that will happen.

"I only went to watch the Manchester City game, which we won.

"But, other than that, I've stayed away because it's a big disappointment and it hurts me quite a lot being there and knowing I can't play for the rest of the season.

"It's a heart-wrencher.

"But I'm always checking the scores every minute and I seem to get more down about losing than when I was playing because it's frustrating not being able to do anything about it.

"I'm trying to be there for the players - but it's hard for me."

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