EIGHT months ago he was playing non-league football. Tomorrow, central defender Ian Miller is set to make his Ipswich Town debut in the Coca-Cola Championship.

By Elvin King

EIGHT months ago he was playing non-league football.

Tomorrow, central defender Ian Miller is set to make his Ipswich Town debut in the Coca-Cola Championship.

And today, the 23-year-old talked of his fairytale rags to riches rise from Bury Town in the Ryman League First Division North to possibly facing Plymouth Argyle in front of 20,000 fans at Portman Road.

“My life has changed so much in a short space of time,” said Miller, who has been recalled from a loan with Darlington with defenders Richard Naylor (injured) and Dan Harding (suspended) out and doubts over the availability of skipper Jason De Vos and David Wright.

De Vos and Wright trained yesterday although Miller could still feature at some stage tomorrow.

He added: “To be playing football every day for a living is a dream scenario, if a little surreal.”

Nobody was more surprised than Miller when his big chance came - one he has taken with open arms earning excellent reports while on loan at Boston and then Darlington.

He told of the moment about which thousands of non-league players can only dream.

“I had just got back from holiday and played in a friendly for Bury against Ipswich at Ram Meadow.

“Jim Magilton spoke to me in the bar afterwards and, to my amazement, said he wanted to see me in training the following Monday.

“It was incredible and I have been pinching myself ever since.”

Miller, who had been lecturing at West Suffolk College, had an eight-week trial and played a number of reserve games, before he signed his first professional contract in September.

Miller has a degree in sport, health and exercise and Magilton has already confirmed the defender, who played in the Ridgeons League with Bury last season, will figure in his first team at some stage in the final seven games.

“The manager and coaching staff would not throw me in if they didn't think I could do a job at this level,” added Miller, who lives at Marks Tey.

“If they feel the time is right to play me - be it tomorrow or the last day of the season - they know I will be ready and raring to go. “I can't wait, and I have always said I have come to this club to give my all and make a go of it - not just wallow in the reserves.”