Sunderland boss Roy Keane has confirmed that he will allow Tommy Miller to leave the Stadium of Light on loan. Town are understood to be the favourites to land their former player on an initial short-term basis with reports in the North-East suggesting the switch could come before the weekend.

Keane says he is willing let Miller and several other fringe players go out on loan: "Tommy was out when I first came in with an illness. There's clubs who have been in touch about taking Tommy on loan.

"There might be a bit of movement in the next few weeks.

"There might be one or two more going out on loan because we have lots of players at this football club and with us not being in a reserve league they need to go out and play.

"I haven't got a problem with players coming to see me and saying they're frustrated, it's not a problem.

"We'll see how it goes. Tommy might want to go and get some games.

"I've gone down the road of bringing in one or two experienced midfielders and I think we're strong in that department. I know Tommy can play up front too but we're strong in that sense too.

"I think it's only right that a player goes out and I think he will do well wherever he goes. He will probably score goals."

Keane says Miller's loan wouldn't necessarily signal the end of his Sunderland career, although it seems likely that if he joins the Blues it would be with a view to signing a permanent deal in January. Southampton and Wolves have also been linked.

Meanwhile, Town have refused permission for Martin Brittain to play for loan club Yeovil Town in this weekend's first round of the FA Cup.

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