LEROY FER has failed a medical at Sunderland and has returned to Queens Park Rangers.

The Dutch midfielder was set to sign a season-long loan at the Stadium of Light, but Sunderland have pulled the plug on the deal, according to sources close to the player. It is the second time that Fer has failed a medical, with Everton pulling out of a deal when he was at FC Twente in January 2013.

Fer failed his previous medical after Everton staff found a problem with his knee, but the Holland international went on to sign for Norwich City before moving to Loftus Road.

Fer missed two months of last season with a knee ligament injury picked up in the Hoops’ 2-0 win at Sunderland in February.

Sunderland were expected to unveil both Fer and Yann M’Vila on Wednesday but while the Fer deal is off, the Black Cats are still in negotiations with the French midfielder and his parent club Rubin Kazan.

The club have been credited with an interest in Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj, but a formal bid has not been made. United would look favourably on sending Januzaj to Wearside as Sunderland have looked after the likes of Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck on similar deals.

However, any movement on the player depends on United’s transfer dealings, with Angel Di Maria expected to make his move to Paris St Germain while the club are reportedly interested in Barcelona forward Pedro.