Last updated at 11:39, Tuesday, 08 January 2013

Workington Town star Elliott Miller has not recovered from shoulder surgery and will miss the start of the Championship season.

Elliott Miller attacks against Oldham Roughyeds

The 22-year-old flying winger, who was last season voted Young Championship One Player of the Year, and also picked up the News & Star Readers’ Player-of-the-Year and top try scorer awards at the club’s annual presentation night, admitted that he was “gutted.”

Said the Millom-based star: “I had a slap tear in my shoulder and I was hoping to be back for the start of the season.

“But that’s not going to happen. I can’t lift any real weight and I’m hoping that further physiotherapy will help. I’m targeting the Barrow game on March 3.

“My recovery was going well but I’ve had a bit of a setback.”

Miller, one of the best young Cumbrian prospects in the game, hasn’t played since a serious concussion picked up in the 26-2 league victory against Whitehaven at Derwent Park in early September, an incident that meant he just missed out of finishing top of the Championship One try-scoring charts with 24 tries.

And Town coach Gary Charlton said: “It’s been a long, drawn out matter and it’s taking longer than we thought. I think Elliott’s on the mend but the recovery has not gone as well as expected it’s all about his rehabilitation now.

“His health comes first and he won’t be playing until he’s 100 per cent fit.”

Town begin their preparation for the Championship season with a friendly at Widnes Vikings on Sunday (3pm ko).

Admission is £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £5 for Under-16s. All proceeds from the attendance will go to Town.

First published at 11:30, Tuesday, 08 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk