Miller can’t wait to finally pull on his Argyle shirt
ONLY five blocks of the Lyndhurst Road Stand will be open but Mickel Miller cannot wait to play in his first competitive match for Plymouth Argyle at Home Park tonight (7pm).
The 26-year-old wing-back is set to start for the Pilgrims in the Papa Johns Trophy last 32 tie against League One rivals Charlton Athletic.
The summer signing from Rotherham United finally made his debut for Argyle after almost four months out due to a torn thigh muscle when he came off the bench in the 83rd minute of the 2-2 League One draw away to Burton Albion on Saturday.
The cup tie against Charlton gives Miller the chance to build on that brief first Pilgrims’ appearance as he looks to set himself up for a strong second half to the season.
Miller has happy memories of the Papa Johns Trophy, too,. because he played for Rotherham when they beat Sutton United 4-2 after extra-time in the final at Wembley last season.
He said: “It will be good to play here (at Home Park) for the first time, I can’t wait.”
Miller played for Argyle in two preseason games at Home Park in July against Swansea City and Bristol City and looked likely to start the League One opener against Barnsley, only to suffer a torn this muscle a couple of days before.
While the Pilgrims have been setting a fierce pace at the top of League One, Miller has had to focus on his rehabilitation, but he got his reward by making his comeback against Burton.
Miller said: “It was a great feeling. I have been out for a long time, especially how I done it, it was frustrating because it was two days before the start of the season. Being back with the boys when they have been doing so well is nice.
“I guess injuries are something that comes with the game. Obviously, it was a blow to do it the way I did it, but I feel like I have come back a lot stronger.
“It has kind of helped me because it has made me stronger in the mind. Everything happens for a reason. I’m back and want to keep going now.”
Miller knew as soon as he was injured that it was likely to rule him out of action for a significant period of time. “I had a feeling, you just kind of know,” he said.
“It’s not nice. The boys are doing well and you just want to be involved in that, but I have been patient and doing the right things.
“You can’t rush it, you have just got to make sure you are doing the right things to help yourself and then when you get back you can get involved again and help the boys.”
Patience was very much the key for Miller given the nature of the injury he sustained. It would have been easy to rush his recovery and have a setback.
“As players, you get a bit eager sometimes,” said Miller. “I know the physios get angry with me because I will do something and they will be like ‘No, you need to slow down’ and I’m just ‘My bad’.
“It’s good, though, because they can keep you in check. Otherwise you end up just doing too much and before you know it you are back to square one.”
Miller continued: “The boys have been doing well and it’s easier to come back into a winning team than it is a team that is struggling. There hasn’t really been any pressure on me, or anything like that, which is nice.
“It’s important I continue doing my rehab and gym stuff, as well as playing the games and being involved. I have just got to make sure I’m on top of that.
“Obviously, I have missed a big chunk of the first half of the season but the Gaffer (Steven Schumacher) kept telling me that it’s a long season and to make sure to take my time because I’m going to be needed in the second half.”
Miller was an 83rd minute replacement for Bali Mumba against Burton as he made his debut, and was involved in the contentious incident which led to the home side grabbing an equaliser in the eighth minute of added time.
After a clash of heads between Miller and Tom Hamer just outside the Argyle penalty area, referee Martin Woods allowed Burton to restart play with an uncontested drop ball and that ended up with Adrian Mariappa scoring with a header.