PREMIERSHIP rookie Tommy Miller is being tipped to take the top-flight by storm this season by Ipswich Town teammate Mark Venus.

Miller, who signed for the Tractor Boys from Hartlepool United in a £800,000 deal, could not have wished for a better start at his new club.

And ahead of their season opener against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Venus, Ipswich's Seaton Carew-born defender, has been impressed with what Miller has shown during their successful tour of Finland and Estonia.

"Tommy is looking good," said Venus. "And there's every sign that he is going to prove a very good purchase for us.

"In the first two matches he played for us there has been enough to suggest that he has got a lot of talent, enough to cope with the pace of the Premiership.

"They may have only been pre-season friendlies but he did not look out of place alongside the rest of the Ipswich players.

"He has been able to settle in quickly because the lads have taken to him straight away, so hopefully by the time the season starts he will be feeling right at home."

Miller made a goalscoring debut in Ipswich's 4-2 win over Tampere United, and then he was voted man of the match in his second appearance against Vaasan Palloseura, which ended 3-2 to the tourists.

The 22-year-old, who hit the back of the net 44 times from midfield for Pool during his six years at Victoria Park, sat out the Suffolk club's 5-1 third match success over Estonian team Flora Talinn.

And although Venus believes that Miller may have to bide his time before being one of manager George Burley's regulars, the former insists his time will come.

"It will be a massive step up for the young lad to make," said the experienced Venus, who was shown the door at Victoria Park as a trainee.

"But if he wants to be a success then this will be the perfect opportunity for him to make a real go of his football career.

"As we are going to be playing in Europe this season the gaffer knows that we need a big squad, so it's obvious that Tommy will get his chance.

"When he gets that chance then he is going to have to take it and make it difficult for the other midfielders to take the place from him.

"Jim Magilton had a sore hamstring and that's whose place Miller took in Finland, and then there is Matt Holland in there as well.

"Other players can play there as well as in other positions so it will be interesting to see the battle for places heat up."

The competition for places at Portman Road is something that Venus knows will not fly over his head.

At 34 the former Wolves centre-back is aware that Burley will be looking to gradually phase out the elder-statesmen, but he is not prepared to give way to the younger generation easily.

"I have got one more season remaining on my contract," said Venus, who signed an improved 18-month deal last November. "and I intend to ensure I enjoy that time.

"This year will be more difficult for both me and the team because the rest of the league will not be taking us lightly after finishing fifth.

"But we will be playing a lot of games this campaign because of the added bonus of the UEFA Cup, and I am determined to play a part in those big European nights.

"I have had to sit out pre-season because of a groin injury and I'm hoping that I will not pick up too many more niggles.

"If I can steer clear of them then I hope that I will be involved in plenty of our games."

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