NEIL Warnock wants loan signing Ishmael Miller to remain at QPR next season – and says he has no concerns about the striker’s injury record.

The pacy West Brom forward signed for Rangers on a three-month loan last week, making his debut as a substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 win against Coventry.

And Warnock is eager to keep Miller on a permanent basis, even though the player missed more than a year with cruciate ligament damage and has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Albion side since his return.

“I think Miller needs someone like me, if I’m honest, and I’m looking forward to working with him,” Warnock told the Times. “I hope it’s a long, long-term contract.

“I’ve always liked him a lot – because he’s so big and so quick he needs to do a lot of prep work during the week, but our physios are very good at that type of thing.

“So we’re optimistic we can get him fit and keep him fit. Other players have been offered to me over the last few weeks, but I’ve always wanted Miller really.

“Say what you want, some people told me never to touch Clint Hill with a bargepole because of his injuries before I took him to Palace. You can’t believe everything people tell you.”

Miller, 23, who began his career with Manchester City, burst onto the scene during a loan spell at West Brom in 2007 – including a starring role in their 5-1 demolition of Rangers to end John Gregory’s reign as manager.

He later made a permanent move to the Baggies and helped them to win promotion, but a collision with Portsmouth goalkeeper David James later that year and subsequent complications ruled him out for over a year.

Miller, whose contract at The Hawthorns expires this summer, now has his sights set on regaining both match sharpness and the prize of Premier League status.

He told the Times: “Neil Warnock was probably the main factor in me coming here. I’ve spoken to him a few times and he said he’d give me an opportunity to play regular football, which is what I want.

“I did well a few seasons ago and since then I’ve had some terrible injuries, but hopefully it’s in the past now. I’ve got a lot more to come and I want to get some goals for the team.

“We’re clear at the top and we want to keep the momentum going. The main thing is going up and hopefully we can do that.”

West Brom initially agreed only to a one-month loan, but eventually consented to let Miller stay with QPR until April 24 – the day after what could be a crucial Championship clash with Cardiff.

Miller’s arrival at Loftus Road completed a busy few days for the Rs, who also brought Wayne Routledge back on loan from Newcastle and signed French full-back Pascal Chimbonda on a short-term contract.