Black Cats midfielder Miller told to look for another club
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008 16:25
Liam Miller is set to be sold by Sunderland in the summer
Sunderland have placed Liam Miller on the transfer list, making him available for an immediate 'emergency loan' or a permanent transfer in the summer.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder, signed by Black Cats manager Roy Keane from
Manchester United in August 2006, has been something of a bit-part player this season with only 14 appearances.
A statement from the club today read: "Sunderland have announced that Liam Miller has been put on the club's transfer list.
"The Irish midfielder has been told he can look for a new club.
"Transfer regulations mean the player is only available for an 'emergency' loan move to a Football League club during this season.
"A permanent transfer is not permitted until after the season [ends] in May when the transfer window reopens."
Miller was a team-mate of Keane's at Old Trafford for 12 months in 2004 and 2005 before the future Sunderland boss left United to join Scottish side Celtic - the club he had supported as a child.
Miller himself joined United from Parkhead in 2004 after playing only 26 league games in his seven years there, and the 27-year-old found himself equally on the fringes of the first-team in England.
He played for Leeds United during a loan spell between 2005 and 2006, making 28 league appearances for the Elland Road outfit before he joined Sunderland 18 months ago.
But after playing a key part in earning promotion from the Championship for the Stadium of Light side, he has gradually fallen out of favour with Keane and been informed he is now surplus to requirements on Wearside.
Miller joins Ross Wallace, David Connolly, Ian Harte, Stephen Wright, Graham Kavanagh (who is currently on loan to Sheffield Wednesday), Greg Halford (on loan to
Charlton Athletic) and Stanislav Varga (on loan to Burnley) on the Sunderland transfer list.