IAN Miller's amazing journey is set to take another incredible upturn as he prepares to make his Ipswich Town debut.Although it is not certain that Miller will be involved against Plymouth Argyle at Portman Road on Saturday, the chances are high that the 23-year-old who was playing non-league football just six months ago, is close to making his Blues bow.

By Derek Davis

IAN Miller's amazing journey is set to take another incredible upturn as he prepares to make his Ipswich Town debut.

Although it is not certain that Miller will be involved against Plymouth Argyle at Portman Road on Saturday, the chances are high that the 23-year-old who was playing non-league football just six months ago, is close to making his Blues bow.

Manager Jim Magilton recalled the central defender from Darlington on the eve of their vital derby clash against Hartlepool on Sunday in the wake of injuries to key players.

Jason De Vos has not trained since the win at Luton while Richard Naylor will miss the rest of the season due to severe bone bruising to a toe.

Although Fabian Wilnis can play at centre-half, Magilton told the EADT last week that he wanted to see Miller in action for Town and the possibility could come sooner than initially expected.

Colchester-born Miller's form at both loan clubs Boston and Darlington has caught the eye and in the seven games he played for the Quakers he was part of a side that kept five clean sheets.

Miller said: “I like to think I'm ready to take that next step. I feel I applied myself well at both Boston and then Darlington and the only way to see if I can do it is by actually playing. It is a real sink or swim but I have worked hard to get here. You don't get handed these sorts of chances on a plate, you have to earn them and hopefully I have done enough to take that next rung on the ladder.

“It is a big step from playing at Bury Town to perhaps making a debut in the next league down from the best league in the world but it is what I have wanted from day one.”

Miller impressed in Town's reserves before Steve Evans took him to cash-strapped Boston United on loan. A second spell was scrapped following a back injury and a Town recall but he was soon sent out again, this time to Dave Penney's Darlington.

Miller said: “It has been a hell of a journey already. When I was sent to Boston I didn't really understand why I was going to a club that was second from bottom of League Two but I soon found out that there was probably no better club at the time for me to go to. I had to learn and I had to learn quickly.

“Then it was a completely different experience at Darlington where the team was doing well and winning regularly.

“I have made some great friends there. Although I'm delighted to come back to Ipswich because my ambition is make it into their starting XI, I'm glad I experienced Darlington and I hope, and believe, they will make the play-offs and even play at Wembley.”A young Ipswich Town reserve side take on Leyton Orient Reserves at Brisbane Road this afternoon with a 2pm kick-off.