Miller earns under-21 call up

Ishmael Miller will be seeing some familiar faces after being called up to the England Under 21 squad.

The powerful striker has been in a rich vein of form since starting a season-long loan spell at West Brom in August, bagging nine goals for Tony Mowbray's side.

He now links up with Stuart Pearce after the former City boss was hit by a number of injuries to his original selection.

The 20-year-old will meet up with City team mates Joe Hart and Nedum Onuoha as Pearce fine-tunes preparations for the Euro 2009 qualifiers against Bulgaria, in Milton Keynes on Friday, and Portugal in Agueda next Tuesday.

-mcfc.co.uk

A good reward for Miller's fine form this season for the Baggies and it will be interesting to see how he fares when stepping up to this level, as he has surprised me (and many others no doubt) with how he has performed this season.

Interestingly though, it is Stuart Pearce who has of course named him in the squad - so expect a two minute cameo or an appearance on the left wing...

West Brom eyeing long term Miller deal

West Brom are believed to have agreed a £2million fee with Manchester City to sign on-loan striker Ishmael Miller on a permanent basis. -teamtalk.com

Miller's hot start to the season is definitely making the loan deal look a savvy move indeed.

Upon Eriksson's arrival, Miller's less than stellar pre-season play and lack of appearances suggested he would be one of the casualties, however in a surprising move he was given a new three year deal and farmed out to West Brom for this season.

I've yet to be convinced that Miller does have a long term future at the club, and it maybe that this season is somewhat of a make or break for him, but what is smart about the loan move is that it puts him in the shop window for an extended period of time and should he play well, score a few goals and grab some headlines (all of which he has done so far at this early stage), what he will do is ensure a host of clubs willing to take him on a permanent move at the end of the season - and in turn inflating the transfer fee from what it would have been last season.

Alternatively of course, Miller may well do enough during his time at West Brom to convince Eriksson he does have a future with us and that is combination of size and pace is something he covets up front going forward from next season.

All in all, a win-win situation for both the club and Miller himself.

If he does well, increases value and increases interested clubs plus contract gives more cash to us on transfer fee.

Was heading nowhere at City so win-win when sent him out as could come back after strong season

Miller-time for Baggies

YOUNG City forward Ishmael Miller has gone on a month's
loan to West Brom.The 20-year-old had also been attracting interest from Preston
and Watford but will now help the Baggies try and bounce back from their opening
day defeat at Burnley.West Brom manager Tony Mowbray earlier indicated his
wish to bring Miller in, saying: "Ishmael is a young player who has been on the
fringes at Man City in a difficult period for their club."He would play as a
striker if we managed to bring him in and he would offer different assets to
what we have already got at our club."He is a big, powerful and quick boy."He
has played a lot of reserve matches and is someone who needs exposure on the
football pitch."

-MEN.

There had been stories that Miller could be on the way out permanently but it maybe the Eriksson feels he potentially does have a future at the club - or is at least not willing to let him go just yet until further additions arrive.

It is a good move for Miller - who after making a handful of appearances last season, finds himself marginalised by the new arrivals to the squad. West Brom should be a decent fit for him and it will benefit him playing up front rather than out left where he operated last season.

The only surprise for me with the move is that it isn't a longer one, with a move until January perhaps a better one all-round to allow him to settle in and get at least a dozen or so games under his belt.