Tommy Miller will spend his first morning as a Sunderland player glued to a television screen, desperately hoping the Premiership fixture list gives him a dream debut at the Stadium of Light.

Miller finally completed his protracted move from Ipswich yesterday when he passed a medical and put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Black Cats.

The move completes a happy homecoming for the Shotton Colliery-born midfielder, who signed his first professional forms with Hartlepool before heading south to Suffolk in 2001.

Miller spent his childhood cheering on Sunderland from the terraces at Roker Park but a succession of minor injuries have prevented him from ever appearing on Wearside.

That will all change next season as the 26-year-old forms the centre-piece of Mick McCarthy's new-look midfield and, with the Premiership fixtures due to be released at 10am today, he is desperately hoping for a home tie to kick off his new career.

"I missed one game out of them all last season, and that just happened to be at the Stadium of Light," said Miller, who scored 15 goals in 39 games last term. "I was devastated. The season before, I was injured as well - but maybe that's fate.

"I've been to the Stadium of Light a few times and the atmosphere has always been superb. I'm really looking forward to playing there. It'll be a full house come the opening day and I can't wait - let's hope I'm pulling on a red and white shirt for the first time."

Miller turned down Ipswich and Leeds to join Sunderland and also rebuffed the advances of Premiership newcomers Wigan, who made a last-ditch attempt to hijack his move to Wearside last week.

Mick McCarthy's powers of persuasion and the standard of facilities on offer at both the Stadium and Academy of Light clearly played their part in his decision. But, ultimately, it was the thought of emulating his boyhood heroes that eventually proved too strong.

"I used to go and watch Sunderland as a kid with my dad and my mates," explained Miller. "I used to go to Roker Park and be blown away by the atmosphere and the fans.

"Marco Gabbiadini stands out from the days when I was watching, and John Kay - he wasn't spectacular but he was a superb defender who would run through a brick wall for you."

Miller's North-Eastern background means he is well aware of the passion and pride of the region's fans and, unsurprisingly, there are two games he is looking forward to with particular relish.

"I'll be looking at the fixtures," he confirmed. "And, after looking for the first game, I'll be looking for the Newcastle game in particular.

"I remember going to one derby at Roker Park when Paul Hardyman missed a penalty and then got sent off for kicking John Burridge in the head. I can always remember that one. Let's just say I'm looking forward to playing in those two games in particular.

"But my first target is to get into the team. I'm not going to kid myself I've got to work hard to force my way in. There's a massive step from the Championship to the Premier League and the teams that go up into the Premier League tend to struggle in their first season."

Miller only married his wife, Emma, two weeks ago, and his honeymoon in Cyprus was interrupted by footballing matters.

"I was turning my phone on late at night, getting messages and they were all about Sunderland. Thankfully, those calls are finished now."

* Cardiff are set to secure the services of Northern Ireland international Jeff Whitley following his release from Sunderland.

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