FOR the past 18 years, Miles Storey has spent Christmas Eve on the sofa with his parents and pets. This year is going to be a shock to the system.

The first-year pro has never experienced a festive season away from his family but he’ll only have time for a handful of celebrations in 2012 as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.

Instead of making the trip back home to the West Midlands, Storey will be busy with strength and conditioning work.

It’s all part of the learning curve for Storey, and he’s ready to embrace the season of goodwill with open arms.

“It’s going to be strange. In my eyes Christmas Eve is my favourite day - just watching films - I prefer the build-up to the actual day,” he said.

“I usually just watch films with my mum and my dad and the family and the dogs so it’ll be different this year but obviously I live in digs so I’m with a family and it’s still got that kind of Christmassy atmosphere.

“I’m going to try to get home for Christmas dinner if I can but I’ll just try to get up when I can and try to get in the spirit of it.”

Storey’s parents Mandy and Martin will spend Christmas without their only child for the first time, and the forward expects his mum to be hit hardest.

“It must be strange for them. When I’ve been in school we’d had it off, obviously, and being a youth team player we had it off the last two years so this year is the first time I’m not going to be there.

“I think my mum more than anyone is going to struggle but I’ll have to give her a ring to see if she’s alright.”