Republic Of Ireland international Mark Kennedy has moved one step closer to ending his Anfield career by signing for Queen's Park Rangers on loan for six weeks.

Kennedy (21), who was a regular in Mick McCarthy's teams during the World Cup qualifying campaign, has signed for the first division club with a view to a permanent move. Kennedy signed for Liverpool for £1.5 million from Millwall in March 1995, but he struggled to command a first-team place and made just eight appearances last season.

QPR chairman Chris Wright said: "He'll give us some class and pace on the left side. It's a signing we've been trying to make for a long time. Liverpool are very reluctant to let their players go out on loan, so we're delighted with it."

West Ham duo Ian Dowie and Keith Rowland are also expected to move to QPR - if Trevor Sinclair's expected switch to Upton Park goes through. QPR will also receive £2 million as part of the deal that would see the former England under-21 winger return to the Premiership.

Both Dowie and Rowland are Northern Ireland internationals, though striker Dowie has not scored a League goal for West Ham in over a year.

Meanwhile, QPR have sold goalkeeper Jurgen Sommer to the Major Soccer League in the United States for around £175,000 and have also agreed terms for left-back Rufus Brevett to sign for big-spending Fulham for £375,000.