Ishmael Miller admitted it felt good to be back following 13 months out with a knee injury. The powerful striker proved to be the only silver lining following a disappointing defeat to promotion rivals Nottingham Forest.
The 22-year-old former Manchester City striker came off the sub’s bench for the final 13 minutes during a cameo appearance which showed he’d lost none of his pace or power. Miller is now hoping to increase his recovery to full fitness in the coming weeks and force his way into Albion’s starting XI again.
"It's great to be back on the pitch," Miller beamed.
"It was great on a personal note but bad on a team note.
"It was a bit of a nice surprise for the fans to see me back on the bench.
"I didn't think it would be this week but I felt better than I thought I would.
"The gaffer asked me a few weeks ago if I thought I would be ready for Forest at home and I said yes.
"Then about a week ago I had a bit of a doubt because I had a bit of swelling but in the end it was fine and I got through it."
Miller’s introduction in the second half raised the loudest cheer on a freezing night at The Hawthorns from the home fans however the striker is refusing to press the panic button after Albion fourth home defeat of the season.
“Everyone is very disappointed because it was a massive game and we didn't come out on the right side of it,” the striker continued.
"But we've still got a game in hand and we're only a point behind the top two.
"We've just got to keep trying to win as many games as we can.
"We started really cold and it was just one of those nights - a bad day at the office.
"I think everybody goes through it.
"It was a bad day and it was a bad result
"The coaches were just trying to pick everyone's spirits up after and the gaffer got his points across on what he thought of the game.
"The gaffer was disappointed himself and everyone was disappointed.
"The players were disappointed and we will try to do better next time.
"In the dressing room afterwards we were just trying to find out what was wrong in a positive way and discussing things.
"We are trying to be as positive as possible."