Queens Park Rangers are lining up a loan move for Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore when the transfer window opens next month.

Rangers manager Harry Redknapp gave Livermore his opportunity in the first team while he was manager at White Hart Lane and is thought to have identified the 23-year-old as the man to add greater steel to his midfield.

At this stage, Spurs would not be prepared to allow Livermore to leave the club permanently but Standard Sport understands they would be more amenable to a temporary deal.

Livermore was starting to establish himself during Redknapp’s final season in charge, making 30 domestic appearances and winning his first senior England cap in the 2-1 friendly win over Italy last August.

Under Andre Villas-Boas, however, Livermore has found the going tougher. He has struggled with injuries and is now the club’s fifth-choice central midfielder behind Mousa Dembele, Sandro, Tom Huddlestone and Tom Carroll.

With Scott Parker’s return from injury imminent after undergoing an Achilles operation in August, Livermore’s opportunities could become even more limited if he remains at White Hart Lane for the rest of the campaign. Redknapp is desperate to strengthen his squad in the New Year, with Rangers fighting to avoid relegation.

After Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Wigan, his side find themselves on just seven points, eight points adrift of safety.

Three of Rangers’ next four Premier League fixtures are at home, with Fulham, West Brom and Liverpool all due to visit Loftus Road before the end of the year.