Liam Miller has been told that he can leave Sunderland, where he was expected to play a crucial role in their attempt to retain their Barclays Premier League status. Miller was put on the transfer list yesterday in a move that generated speculation of a clash with Roy Keane, the manager.

While Keane’s popularity among the Sunderland supporters has been largely unaffected by his team’s struggles this season, this surprising move will come in for critical scrutiny. Miller has been one of Sunderland’s more consistent performers this season and there is a widespread belief on Wearside that his form could not be the only factor in Keane’s decision.

The midfield player became the eighth name on a transfer list being compiled by the manager in what could be regarded as a sensible pruning of the squad before he spends heavily in the summer.

With Keane preparing to invest up to £30 million in new signings if Sunderland remain in the Premier League, the former Manchester United captain wants to clear the decks by disposing of those he considers to be expendable.

Keane is believed to have become frustrated with Miller’s attitude. The player is rumoured to have arrived late for training on a number of occasions, incurring the manager’s wrath. The club made a brief statement announcing Keane’s decision and added: “The Irish midfielder has been told he can look for a new club.”

Several Coca-Cola Championship sides will be interested and were alerted yesterday to Miller’s presence in Sunderland’s reserve-team squad for last night’s match away to Bolton Wanderers.

The timing is a surprise because Miller is fit after a calf injury and looked certain to play a significant role in the final weeks of the season. Now he is unlikely to feature again at senior level, with Sunderland emphasising yesterday that they are prepared to let him leave immediately if an emergency loan deal can be negotiated.

In a season when Keane has made frequent changes to his lineup, Miller has been one of the few players to feature regularly in his squads. He has started 14 games, including five of the past six, but was injured this month.

Miller was among six players brought in by Keane as soon as he took control of the club shortly after the start of last season. Capped 15 times by Ireland, Miller began his career at Celtic and played nine games for Manchester United before his switch to Sunderland.

Now he is listed along with Ross Wallace, David Connolly, Ian Harte, Stephen Wright, Graham Kavanagh, Greg Halford and Stanislav Varga on the transfer list.

Seven of those who are surplus to requirements were signed by Keane and his willingness to let them leave will be regarded as an admission that he has made a substantial number of mistakes in the transfer market. Previously, he has opted for players whose attitude and character he already knew, with many of them coming from an Irish background.

There is likely to be a significant change in Keane’s approach this summer, when Premier League survival would prompt him to go for top-quality players with international experience.

Sunderland are also making long-term plans, with eight of the Caribbean’s leading young players scheduled to spend a week training with the club. Among them is Gerard Williams, a full St Kitts international. The other seven are teenagers from St Kitts, Haiti, Jamaica, Surinam, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. They have been recommended by John Barnes, the former England winger who has a training school in the Caribbean.

Head count

Roy Keane has signed 23 players for about £50 million since arriving at Sunderland in August 2006. In that time he has raised about £3.5 million from selling 18 players.

Four of his signings are out on loan: Russell Anderson (Plymouth Argyle), Graham Kavanagh (Sheffield Wednesday), Greg Halford (Charlton Athletic) and Andrew Cole (Burnley).

Seven of his signings are on the transfer list: Halford, Liam Miller, Ian Harte, Ross Wallace, David Connolly, Graham Kavanagh and Stanislav Varga.

One has been released: Stern John.