TOMMY Miller fears his chances of playing at the Stadium of Light could be given the elbow - again.The Blues midfielder dreams of playing at his hometown stadium, but suspected ligament damage to his left elbow could put paid to it for the third time in four years.

By Derek Davis

TOMMY Miller fears his chances of playing at the Stadium of Light could be given the elbow - again.

The Blues midfielder dreams of playing at his hometown stadium, but suspected ligament damage to his left elbow could put paid to it for the third time in four years.

He told the EADT last night: “I can't believe that I may not be able to play there yet again.

“I'm hoping I can - and with the game being played on Sunday that gives me an extra day to be fit.”

Miller was forced off three minutes after the break in the 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday after falling awkwardly.

He said: “I was about 12ft in the air in a challenge with Sean Gregan and I came down heavily on my left elbow. The pain shot straight through me and it was agony.

“I tried to straighten it but I knew at half-time that I was probably unable to carry on, but I gave it a go.”

Miller will return to hospital today for more scans after an x-ray on Saturday afternoon did not show any break in the bone, but there was a lot of fluid around the damaged area.

Miller was born in Easington, just outside Sunderland, and many of his immediate family and in-laws are mad Mackem fans.

And even though Miller has played against the Black Cats at Portman Road he has been thwarted at every opportunity of playing at his local club.

Last season he missed out during a six-week injury lay off when he had a damaged knee.

In his first season at Ipswich after signing for almost £1m from Hartlepool, Miller was not involved in the Town team that lost at Sunderland on the opening day of the 2001-2002 season.

Miller, though, is determined not to miss out again. He said: “I will be devastated if I cannot play. There will be loads of family and friends there so I really want to be playing.

“Of all the games to miss it would have to be this one, though not if I can possibly help it.”

Dean Bowditch went on in place of Miller three minutes after the break and three minutes after that Darren Bent knocked in the winner.

Miller said: “It was a real tonic for me when Darren scored and I was up the hospital when I heard we had won and I was delighted. That has put us right up there now and it up to us to stay there.”

Apart from Miller, Jason De Vos will have treatment on a sore leg today but otherwise Town are hoping for a clean bill of health as they prepare to face Sunderland on Sunday in a live Sky TV game with a 1pm kick off.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk