Baggies rocked by Miller lay-off

Ishmael Miller receives treatment after colliding with David James

West Brom striker Ishmael Miller has been ruled out for the season after his weekend injury was diagnosed as cruciate knee ligament damage.

Miller also needed stitches to his head after colliding with Portsmouth keeper David James in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

But, after initially expecting it to be diagnosed as medial ligament damage, scans have shown the injury to his right knee to be worse than expected.

"It's a blow. He's a threat to most teams," said Baggies boss Tony Mowbray.

With rehab for this sort of injury normally lasting six to nine months, Miller, 21, is not expected to get another chance until next season. And it could not have proved less timely for the Premier League's bottom club.

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Miller, who netted 16 times for Albion last season as they won promotion back to the Premier League, took nine games to get off the mark in the top flight.

But he has scored three times in his last seven games. And he had tormented Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell before being stretchered off in the 76th minute.

Miller joined Albion from Manchester City in a £900,000 deal in January, having originally signed for the Baggies on loan.

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