LIAM Miller is hoping his recent displays for Sunderland and Republic of Ireland have been good enough to see him taken off the transfer list this summer.

Miller was transfer-listed in February after regularly turning up late for training, and his future remains uncertain as Black Cats boss Roy Keane looks to overhaul a squad that finished just three points clear of relegation last season.

Keane was ready to sell Miller in the spring, but the Irishman was involved in the final four games of Sunderlandfs season and impressed in his preferred central midfield role.

Those displays were good enough to earn him a call up into Giovanni Trapattonifs first squad as Republic of Ireland manager, and he started last Sundayfs 1-1 friendly draw against Portuguese side Portimonese before appearing as a substitute in Mondayfs 3-1 victory over Lagos.

He is expected to be involved in Saturdayfs international with Serbia, and is hoping his recent performances will guarantee him a future at the Stadium of Light.

gI would imagine I am still on the transfer list, but I am trying to play my way off it,h said Miller. gThatfs the best thing I can do at the moment.

gIfve got my head down, trained hard and got myself back in the (Sunderland) team. I think the manager has been happy enough. Things have gone okay.h Trapattonifs Ireland side face both Serbia and Colombia this month and, with the likes of Shay Given, Lee Carsley, Kevin Kilbane, Darron Gibson, Andy Reid and Joey OfBrien all unavailable through injury, Miller is one of a number of fringe players hoping to play their way into the side ahead of this autumnfs World Cup qualifiers.

gItfs a chance for every player to stake a claim in the team,h said the midfielder. gThatfs what wefre all trying to do.

gWefve played two games under the new manager now and theyfve been enjoyable. Hefs trying to get his points across, and wefre all listening and trying to take what hefs saying on board.h Roy Keane has admitted that Sunderland explored the possibility of a summer trip to Australia before settling on a preseason programme that includes tours of Portugal and Ireland as well as games against Nottingham Forest and Ajax.

gWe looked at going to Australia, but it didnft work out,h said the Black Cats manager.

gWefre trying to spread the name of Sunderland, so maybe in the next year or two we can spread our wings.

gIfm fairly happy with the schedule wefve got at the minute, but there might be room for one more game.h