LEEDS United are set to hold last-minute talks with Tommy Miller tomorrow in an attempt to hijack the midfielder's proposed move to Sunderland.

Miller's representatives met with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy last week to discuss a possible move to the Stadium of Light.

The 26-year-old is a free agent after his contract with Ipswich Town expired at the end of last season.

The Suffolk side have already offered Miller a new two-year deal, but their recent play-off defeat to West Ham has left them unable to match the terms of his previous arrangement.

Shotton Colliery-born Miller is understood to be keen on a return to his native North-East. The attacking midfielder, who made 160 appearances for Pool before moving to Portman Road four years ago, is hoping to finalise future plans before he gets married on Saturday.

Sunderland remain favourites to secure his signature, but Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell has made Miller his number one transfer target as he looks to follow McCarthy's lead by guiding his side back into the Premiership at the second attempt.

Chairman Ken Bates has promised to make money available for summer strengthening and, while the Black Cats can offer top-flight football, the former Chelsea chief is ready to match the terms of Miller's previous deal at Ipswich.

Sunderland are unlikely to be so generous. Only last week, Bob Murray confirmed he would be offering performance-related pay deals to any player interested in moving to the Stadium of Light this summer.

McCarthy is also a fan of such contracts, whereby players are offered a reduced weekly wage that is supplemented by considerable bonuses for appearances, wins or goals. Most of Sunderland's recent signings have been offered such deals, which also include a sliding scale that changes according to what division the club are playing in.

Murray was yesterday in talks with Ipswich counterpart David Sheepshanks for goalkeeper Kelvin Davis. A fee in the region of £1m has been agreed and personal terms have been discussed.

An announcement is expected today.

McCarthy is desperate to strengthen his midfield having released Jeff Whitley and transfer-listed Sean Thornton at the start of the month and, as well as closing in on Miller, the Black Cats boss is also monitoring Darren Carter's situation at Birmingham.

McCarthy is poised to offer a season-long loan deal should Carter become restless.

"My own situation here has not really changed," revealed Carter, who was sent a specially-commissioned medal to mark his contribution to Sunderland's Championship win.

"If I'm not going to figure much next season, then I'll be looking for first-team football.

"I'm going to have a chat with the gaffer to see what his feelings and his plans are. If it turns out that Birmingham can't give me much of a look-in, then something like a season-long loan would have to be taken into consideration."

* Meanwhile, the Black Cats are in talks with Blackburn Rovers about Jon Stead, according to the player's agent.

The England Under-21 striker is surplus to Mark Hughes' requirements and Sunderland are renewing their interest after missing out on the player in 2003 when he left Huddersfield.

"Apparently, Blackburn have given permission for Jon to speak to Sunderland after agreeing a fee," Stead's representative John Seasman said.

"The next step will be to meet Mick McCarthy, see what he says and take it from there.

"Jon knows that Sunderland are a wonderful club with a massive following and the history to go with it.

"The only reason he joined Blackburn was because, at that time, it came down to a straight choice between Premiership football and Championship football."

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