IAN Miller may have only been a fringe player so far this season, but Darlington manager Dave Penney wants to the on-loan defender to sign a permanent deal.

However, the boss would also like the frustrated centre-back to bide his time and wait for his chance to impress.

Miller will again be on bench duty when Darlington play at Brentford today, which is not how he planned it when turning down the chance of joining the Bees in favour of Quakers.

In the summer when Ipswich Town decided to let Miller go out on loan there were two interested parties and that gave the pacey centre-back a choice - Darlington or Brentford.

Having enjoyed a loan spell in the North-East last season Quakers always had the edge, though the temptation to play for a club much closer to Suffolk, and one managed by former England international Terry Butcher, also made Brentford a viable option.

Miller chose Darlington but, unlike last season when he impressed while played all seven games of his loan spell, his appearances have been restricted with three of his four starts as an unorthodox right-back.

In fact, the form of Alan White and Steve Foster means that the first game of the season, against Wrexham, is the only start that Miller has had in his natural position.

The rest of time has been spent on the subs bench which is where, having had to miss last week's FA Cup draw with Northampton Town as Ipswich do not want him cup-tied, he will return to today against the club he could have joined.

Speaking in the summer, Miller said: "Ipswich gave me the chance of going to Brentford or to come back to Darlington and I had no hesitation in coming back.

"Brentford is closer to Ipswich and also Terry Butcher is there.

Maybe I could've learned a lot from him. But the way I saw it I was treated well here last season and it's nice to feel wanted.

"I could've taken the option of going to a club that is an hour down the road but I felt I had unfinished business with Darlington so I wanted to come back."

But, for the time being at least, there appears to be no dislodging White or Foster.

With Quakers having kept ten clean sheets this season - the first of them with Miller in the side against Wrexham - White and Foster are very much Penney's first choices, much to the chagrin of Ipswich.

Tractor Boys' manager Jim Magilton would prefer his defender to be gaining experience, and so would Miller.

"He likes it at Darlington but he wants to play first and foremost,"

said Penney, who understands Miller's eagerness to play.

"I'd like to keep him permanently and we've had initial talks but it hasn't gone much further.

I've had a chat with Jim but that's as far as it's gone.

"He's been frustrated at not playing. We've had chats about the situation, he hasn't come here to sit on the bench. He's a bright boy and he understands the situation, he's bound to get frustrated.

"But Alan came into the team at Barnsley for the second game of the season and him and Steve have been excellent as a pair.

Ian's not daft, he understands.

"I've spoken to Jim and he's given me a bit of stick but he understands.

"We're on to a different level now compared to last season.

Ian's just got to keep himself fit and ready because if Alan or Steven become injured, suspended or lose form then Ian would be back in the team.

"He's just got to bide his time, train well and keep himself match fit so that when he does come into the team he doesn't let anyone down."

Miller's loan expires in January, though Penney would prefer the defender to stay at the Balfour Webnet Darlington Arena.

Richie Foran will make his debut today but, like Miller, will be unavailable for selection for Tuesday's FA Cup replay at Northampton. Bradford City have also denied permission for Joe Colbeck to play.

"The game next week does come into your thinking when you're picking your team," said Penney. "There's three players that can't play at Northampton, but Saturday is the main game, that's what we're focused on."