INJURY-riddled Ipswich Town new boy Tommy Miller said today: "It's ridiculous. I didn't miss a single minute of last season and only two games the season before that.

INJURY-riddled Ipswich Town new boy Tommy Miller said today: "It's ridiculous. I didn't miss a single minute of last season and only two games the season before that."

The £750,000 midfield capture from Hartlepool has been hit by neck, back, groin and now a foot problem.

He made an impressive start in pre-season for the Blues before the series of injuries started.

"Fortunately none of them have been serious and the latest came when I scraped my foot under Darren Bent's boot," said the 22-year-old Miller.

"Apart from some pre-season games, I've just had one reserve match at Charlton and it's so frustrating.

"At Hartlepool last season I never missed a single minute of first team action and the season before that I only missed two games. That's a total of just over a hundred games in two seasons.

"Here it's been a question of one thing after another and to say it's frustrating is an understatement. I just look forward to when I am able to make my presence felt."

Manager George Burley has great sympathy for Miller and said: "It happens like that sometimes. A player is ever-present for so long at one club and then gets one thing after another.

"Tommy loves his training as well as playing and hates to be sitting out. Hopefully he'll be challenging for a first team place again before long.

"He's a bright young player who is working hard to bridge the gap between the Third Division and the Premiership. Injuries are hampering him just now, but hopefully he has a long career ahead of him at this club."

Meanwhile, Town's Slovenian international left-back Amir Karic, is able to mark the Blues card a little bit before Thursday night's UEFA Cup first round first leg with Torpedo Moscow at Portman Road (kick-off 8.05pm).

He played against Russia for Slovenia in a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win last weekend.

Torpedo defender Vyacheslav Dayev and club-mate striker Aleksandr Shirko also played in that game.

"These two players didn't particularly stand out, but the Russians are all good players. I know of Torpedo Moscow and they are a very good team. It will be difficult for Ipswich, especially in Moscow.

"We need to be looking at taking a two-goal lead to Russia from the first leg."

Karic, a £700,000 signing from Slovenian club Maribor early last season, has been unable to break into the Town side so far.

He said: "I believe I deserve a chance to play in the Premiership. I will be trying very hard to get into the team by playing as hard as I can."