QPR are ready to gamble a loan deal on Liam Miller – a player who ended up on Sunderland’s transfer list because he lost his alarm clock.

Former Black Cats boss Roy Keane fell out with the Republic of Ireland international over his poor timekeeping, but Hoops see Miller as prospective cover for Mikele Leigertwood, wanted by three clubs ready to shell out a £1m-plus for the midfielder.

Sunderland have agreed to pay the lion’s share of Miller’s £16,000-a-week wages and will offer the 27-year-old to Hoops for free at the end of the season should the loan work out.