Miller scored three times in seven games prior to getting injured

Striker Ishmael Miller has signed a contract extension with West Bromwich Albion even though he is not expected to be fit until the new year.

The 22-year-old former Manchester City youngster has been out for the past 10 months with a knee injury sustained against Portsmouth last December.

And he is not on course to return until the final few months of this season.

But he has now signed a new, improved five-year deal, keeping him at The Hawthorns until June 2014.

"This is a massive boost for the club," Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo told the club website. "Ishmael is still going to be out for a while.

"But he has got all the attributes required to be a top striker. And he will be a big help to us when he does return.

"Obviously, Ishmael hasn't played for a while so it's good to see the club supporting him in this way. This new contract shows everyone has a lot of faith in him."

Miller, who initially joined Albion on a season-long loan in August 2007 before completing a permanent £900,000 switch four months later, has made 55 appearances for Albion, scoring 19 goals.

He scored 16 times help the Baggies to the Championship title. And Miller then added three more in the Premier League prior to suffering his cruciate knee ligament injury in a collision with England keeper David James late in on a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth at The Hawthorns.

Miller required further surgery this summer but his rehabilitation is now reported to be progressing well.

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