SHAUN Miller has already made a good impression on Wanderers fans – and he’ll be hoping it will be a running theme this season.

The striker came up with a picture-perfect finish against his former club Crewe in midweek to open his account for the Whites in what was only his second appearance.

In that respect, Miller is already halfway towards the goal total he managed last season at struggling Morecambe, the club he joined on loan after being transfer listed at Gresty Road.

Ian Evatt is hoping the ex-Sheffield United and Coventry City link-up man can bring the best out of those around him – and Miller is only too delighted to be a part of the promotion push.

“Obviously, it’s a brilliant club, the size and the ambition of it is to try and bounce straight back and have a successful season,” he told the club. “I wanted to be part of that.

“There have been wholesale changes, so it is not going to snap into shape straight away. It’ll take a bit of time before we all understand each other. But I think there’s a good mix of younger and older lads in there, so hopefully we can get it up and running as soon as possible.

“The gaffer knows what I can do well, and he’ll be high on confidence from his promotion last season. Hopefully, he can back it up with another one.”

The Bolton News:

Eight weeks of pre-season has been building towards Saturday’s big kick-off against Forest Green but Miller, who missed the majority of that preparation, will not be rushed into playing 90 minutes.

The Cheshire-born front man feels Evatt’s style of football will suit him, and after waiting nine months to return to the pitch – his previous game coming for Morecambe at home to Oldham on Boxing Day – he has been able to think long and hard about his comeback.

“Physically I’m feeling really good. I have kept myself in shape,” he said.

“It has been tough for a lot of players, so to get in with the team has been much better than running on your own. I’m looking forward to the big kick-off.

“Training is intense. The manager is really demanding of us all.

“But that’s OK. You need to be on each other’s case if you are going to be successful.

“I enjoy high-energy football, so it suits me.”