QPR youngster signs on loan

The 18-year-old midfielder has joined the Blues subject to Football League approval.

A highly-regarded player, Sutherland had been pursued by Guy Whittingham on the final day of the emergency loan window in November.

On that occasion, Pompey ran out of time to complete a deal.

However, they have renewed their interest in the youngster and yesterday completed a one-month youth loan.

Sutherland’s arrival takes Whittingham’s first-team squad up to 14 as he continues his attempt to bolster numbers.

The Republic of Ireland under-19 international signed a QPR contract extension in August.

This season also saw him handed a squad number at Loftus Road by then-manager Mark Hughes after impressing during his climb through the Hoops’ ranks.

However, he has yet to be included in a first-team squad and a switch to Pompey will offer crucial experience.

Whittingham is desperate to add to his squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to fellow League One strugglers Scunthorpe.

In recent weeks, teenagers Jed Wallace and Dan Butler have been promoted into the senior set-up.

However, seven players have departed in the past week, including loanees Paul Benson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

Brian Howard, Mustapha Dumbuya, Lubomir Michalik, Lee Williamson and Jon Harley have also left.

The caretaker boss, though, has ruled out moving any more of his Pompey prospects into the first-team squad.