Wednesday may yet get more Miller time

Last updated : 12 April 2011 By C. Morris

Sheffield Wednesday’s end of season run in could be boosted by the availability of experienced midfielder Tommy Miller.

The former Ipswich man, who scored a brace in last Tuesday’s 4-0 drubbing of Tranmere, was left out of the side at Brighton on Saturday as a result of contractual issues. It is thought that he is closing in on a number of appearances for the club that would trigger an automatic offer of a new contract.

This clause was drawn up prior to the arrival of Milan Mandaric as Chairman of the club and Gary Megson as manager and is appears that at least one of them is not fully sold on Miller’s long-term future at the club given his omission from the squad.

Whatever Megson’s thoughts are on Miller’s future at Hillsborough the Owls boss was clearly frustrated at not being able to include the midfielder in his team at the weekend as Miller has been a regular during his short tenure at the club so far, even making him captain for a spell. In Miller’s absence Wednesday produced a lacklustre display on the south coast, going down to a 2-0 defeat to the champions-elect.

Miller’s two year spell with the Owls to date has been hampered by injuries and it is with this in mind that it is perhaps understandable that the club are reluctant to sanction an offer that was agreed by a previous regime.

The player himself has however intimated that he could yet feature in the Owls run in this season. The 32-year-old told the Sheffield Star that he would like to feature in the remaining fixtures this season, irrespective of whether he gets a new deal and he hopes to discuss the issue with the club this week to try and find a resolution. Miller also stated that he and his family have become settled in the area and he is happy here.