TOMMY Miller may be a part-timer these days but he has a full-time job to do for Ipswich Town.The midfielder, who only trains half a week, has established himself as a first team regular since Watford were beaten 4-2 on December 14.

By Dave Allard

TOMMY Miller may be a part-timer these days but he has a full-time job to do for Ipswich Town.

The midfielder, who only trains half a week, has established himself as a first team regular since Watford were beaten 4-2 on December 14.

This is despite suffering from a tendinitis problem in one knee that means he has to rest between matches.

The 24-year-old, who has only trained on Tuesday and Thursday this week, has a vital part to play as Ipswich look to improve their current away form at Bradford City

tomorrow.

Before Christmas it was a lack of

consistency at home that was a cause of concern for manager Joe Royle.

But the dropping of two points at Burnley and an exit from the FA Cup at Sheffield United have not shown Town in a good light in their last two away games.

Three points tomorrow, to go with the current good, free-scoring home run, will go along way to removing any doubts.

"My knee is gradually getting better and I am sure I can keep going until the end of the season. I can conquer this problem without an operation," said Miller, who is being nursed through the week by Royle and his coaches.

He sat out Monday's session but trained normally on Tuesday. Wednesday was a day off and the following day Miller then took part in a full session in the snow at Town's Rushmere training ground.

"I sat out today's session," said Miller, who instead did exercises in the gym. "I have reached a match fitness level and sitting out half the training does not have an adverse affect."

Miller recalled the horror of the last minute exit from the FA Cup. "It was a cruel blow in a match we should have won. We conceded three bad goals at Bramall Lane and missed three good chances.

"It is forgotten about now. A cup run would have been nice, but the league is our main target and we are still full of belief.

"We have settled into a nice system and until last weekend our defence has been rock solid. I am sure we can keep the momentum going tomorrow. I want to stay in the team, and be part of the good times.

"There are players at the club good enough to come in and do a fine job, so I have to stay on my toes. We had a nice balance in the middle of the park, with Jim Magilton, Jamie Clapham and myself.

"With Jamie going, Jermaine Wright has come in to do a very good job, although Jamie's contribution was great."

Miller is confident Ipswich can make the play-offs, saying: "We needed a run to get things going.

"We have done that now and there are loads of games in which to push forward to a top six place.

"There has been a massive difference in the table over the past few weeks, and other clubs are now looking over their shoulders. They are very wary of us."