Injured Ish handed Baggies ace's backing

West Brom's Portuguese playmaker Filipe Teixeira has backed Ishmael Miller to come back stronger than ever from his knee injury.

Miller will be out for the remainder of the season after damaging cruciate knee ligaments against Portsmouth but Teixeira, who has suffered the same injury, has backed the striker to return as fit as ever.

He told the expressandstar: "Ish has the same injury I had and it's a bad one. When it happens you just want to think about the operation and start the recovery as soon as possible.

"We need to encourage him because it's a big loss for us, but also for him. It's a big thing for him to deal with. He now has to wait for the operation, but he will be more worried about the recovery. He is a strong guy and should have no problems.

"I spoke to him on the morning when he found out and he was okay. In fact he looked good and was able to walk, which is good news."When I had my injury I could not walk at all, but it's difficult for him and us. He won't know what this injury is and for him it's maybe a feeling of sadness and disappointment at the moment.

"These things tend to happen when you don't want them to. Ish had been playing well for us when it happened.

"But I think he can come back better. Ten years ago such injuries were a bigger problem, but now they are treated well and people are prepared for the recovery more.

"We would like to stay in the Premier League for him. Last season the players got promoted when I was injured and I want us to stay up now, not just for Ish but for Neil Clement, who also has a knee injury.

"It's important for both Ish and Clem because they are both so important."