Miller happy with fitness level

Albion powerhouse Ishmael Miller believes he is in the best shape of his life as he edges ahead in the race to be the number one Baggies striker.

The big striker was on target at Ipswich on Saturday to continue an impressive pre-season, that has put him ahead of Luke Moore and Roman Bednar in the battle for places.

The former Manchester City man feels fighting fit with three weeks to go until the start of the season.

He said: "The game on Saturday was really about fitness. I just want to get fit and make sure I am 110 per cent fit when we get to August 16."

"I want to make sure I am ready to rock n' roll when the season starts. As a striker it's nice to get goals whether it is a friendly or not.

"I am really just concentrating on trying to get my fitness to a level it needs to be at. I feel great now. I'm probably the fittest I've ever been in pre-season.

"In fairness to Dan Harris (fitness coach), at first I thought he was a very hard and difficult man but now I feel fitter and I feel good."

Manager Tony Mowbray is pleased with Miller's encouraging form during pre-season, but he still believes there is room for improvement, especially with his less-favoured right foot.

He said: "Ishmael is strong, powerful has a wonderful left foot and knows where the goal is.

"He will get every opportunity to see if he can score goals in the Premier League and I'm very hopeful he can.

"He has great attributes, a great belief in himself and his goal on Saturday was a great strike, but not his best strike.

"There were good chances and both fell to his right foot, as opposed to the left foot one that he smashed in.

"That's part of his game that he's got to develop and keep working on it. He believes in himself, he's confident and he wants to test himself."

Miller is happy to become Albion's lone ranger, even though he is not normally a fan of flying solo up front.

The bustling forward was deployed as a sole striker at Ipswich, as Mowbray tested a 4-5-1 formation he may use at Arsenal on the new season's opening day.

Miller is pleased with how he did as the Baggies' target man, despite not always being a fan of the system.

He said: "I've usually preferred to play with two up front but, with the players we had in a five-man midfield, it was very good because we kept controlling the game.

"We always had the extra man and we always had space. Every time I saw one of the midfielders had a bit of space on the ball, I was able to make my movement in behind."

"We got in a few times and I should have scored a few more, but hopefully that will come when we play Arsenal.

"It was a good battle for pre-season. It was friendly but aggressive at the same time.

"The only thing was that we lost the game in the last 10 minutes, which dampened the spirits a bit.

"But hopefully when the season comes everybody will be ready to rock n' roll. That's what pre-season is for, to get everybody as fit as we can for when the season starts."

Miller will get another chance to shine, when the Baggies face Northampton tonight at the Sixfields Stadium in their latest pre-season friendly (7.45pm).

Mowbray's side head to Northamptonshire from Essex, where they have spent the last four days in a training camp since heading south on Friday.

Albion season-ticket holders heading to this evening's match can take advantage of discounted admission prices. Fans can pay at the turnstiles at Sixfields.

Prices for season-ticket holders of both clubs are £10 for adults, £5 for pensioners and under-21s and £2 for under-16s. Baggies season-ticket holders will need to show their stilecards.

Non-season ticket-holders will have to pay £12 for adults, £7 for pensioners and under-21s and £4 for under-16s. Under-sevens can get in for free.

Saturday's friendly at Swansea on Saturday ( 3pm) is all-ticket.

Fans wishing to attend the fixture – a testimonial for Swans midfielder Kristian O'Leary – must buy a ticket before travelling.

Seats are priced £15 for adults and £7.50 for concessions and will remain on sale at the Hawthorns East Stand until Friday 4pm.