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1. David Nugent (Preston). He may have only scored five goals this season but he remains the most sought-after striker in the Championship. Middlesbrough seem the most likely suitors at present though Portsmouth and Sheffield United are both admirers of the 21-year-old whose quick feet and eye for a goal have drawn comparisons with fellow Scouser, Robbie Fowler.
2. Matthew Upson (Birmingham). The former Luton and Arsenal man wants to move away from St Andrews in the transfer window and now fully fit he would probably walk into half the sides in the Premiership. Curtis Davies may cost more, but Upson at present is the more complete defender.
3. Jason Koumas (West Brom). The Welsh wizard has been voted into the Championship team of the season in four of the last six seasons, the only two years he missed out were when he was playing in the Premiership. The lingering questions about his work ethic will probably put off any bids form top-flight clubs in January, but he remains the best playmaker in the division.
4. Curtis Davies (West Brom). No player in the division would command a fee as high as the West Brom centre back. It may have been Bryan Robson's shrewdest bit of business buying him from Luton for £3.5 million. Whether Albion sell him in January, the summer or even later, it is likely they will get at least double this amount.
5. Graham Kavanagh (Sunderland). While most of these players will be considered by Premiership clubs during the transfer window, its fair to say Kavanagh, approaching his 33rd birthday, won't be. That said, he excels in the holding midfielder role that has been crucial to so many successful Championship teams over the last decade (Derek McInnes and Stuart McCall are just two veteran players who played similar roles with success). It is no coincidence Sunderland have won three of their last five games since he returned from injury.
6. Rob Earnshaw (Norwich). His spell at West Brom may not have gone totally to plan, but it seems only a matter of time before he is playing at the top level again. At the age of 25, he has already scored 150 league goals and though his build-up play can be frustrating, few players are as sharp in front of goal.
7. Gareth Bale (Southampton). Though only 17, Bale has already established himself in the Wales squad and been touted as the next teenage Saints sensation to move to a big Premiership club after Theo Walcott. As well as his solid play at full back, it the free kicks he takes with his sweet left foot that have seen him attract attention and saw him become the youngest scorer ever for his country in the qualifier against Slovakia in October.
8. Giles Barnes (Derby). Like Southampton, the Rams have a superb record of bringing players through in recent years, with Barnes the current star. Able to play in midfield or attackhe possesses blistering pace, has two good feet and impressive strength. Still a raw product, despite Tottenham wanting him to follow Tom Huddlestone to White Hart Lane, he will probably remain at Pride Park until the end of the season at least.
9. Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe). Sheffield United may be faring well in the Premiership, but Neil Warnock would probably like to have this former Blade junior in his ranks. His 16 goals this season are the main reason why Scunthorpe are currently second in League One, but whether the Iron get promoted or not the 20-year-old is likely to playing at a higher level next season.
10. Steve Simonsen (Stoke). A big reason for Stoke's superb start to the season is the form of the former Everton goalkeeper. The 27-year-old has kept 11 clean sheets this season for the Potters who have the best defensive record in the Championship. A number of Premiership scouts have been at the Britannia Stadium this season to watch the keeper who has just 18 months left on his contract.
2. Matthew Upson (Birmingham). The former Luton and Arsenal man wants to move away from St Andrews in the transfer window and now fully fit he would probably walk into half the sides in the Premiership. Curtis Davies may cost more, but Upson at present is the more complete defender.
3. Jason Koumas (West Brom). The Welsh wizard has been voted into the Championship team of the season in four of the last six seasons, the only two years he missed out were when he was playing in the Premiership. The lingering questions about his work ethic will probably put off any bids form top-flight clubs in January, but he remains the best playmaker in the division.
4. Curtis Davies (West Brom). No player in the division would command a fee as high as the West Brom centre back. It may have been Bryan Robson's shrewdest bit of business buying him from Luton for £3.5 million. Whether Albion sell him in January, the summer or even later, it is likely they will get at least double this amount.
5. Graham Kavanagh (Sunderland). While most of these players will be considered by Premiership clubs during the transfer window, its fair to say Kavanagh, approaching his 33rd birthday, won't be. That said, he excels in the holding midfielder role that has been crucial to so many successful Championship teams over the last decade (Derek McInnes and Stuart McCall are just two veteran players who played similar roles with success). It is no coincidence Sunderland have won three of their last five games since he returned from injury.
6. Rob Earnshaw (Norwich). His spell at West Brom may not have gone totally to plan, but it seems only a matter of time before he is playing at the top level again. At the age of 25, he has already scored 150 league goals and though his build-up play can be frustrating, few players are as sharp in front of goal.
7. Gareth Bale (Southampton). Though only 17, Bale has already established himself in the Wales squad and been touted as the next teenage Saints sensation to move to a big Premiership club after Theo Walcott. As well as his solid play at full back, it the free kicks he takes with his sweet left foot that have seen him attract attention and saw him become the youngest scorer ever for his country in the qualifier against Slovakia in October.
8. Giles Barnes (Derby). Like Southampton, the Rams have a superb record of bringing players through in recent years, with Barnes the current star. Able to play in midfield or attackhe possesses blistering pace, has two good feet and impressive strength. Still a raw product, despite Tottenham wanting him to follow Tom Huddlestone to White Hart Lane, he will probably remain at Pride Park until the end of the season at least.
9. Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe). Sheffield United may be faring well in the Premiership, but Neil Warnock would probably like to have this former Blade junior in his ranks. His 16 goals this season are the main reason why Scunthorpe are currently second in League One, but whether the Iron get promoted or not the 20-year-old is likely to playing at a higher level next season.
10. Steve Simonsen (Stoke). A big reason for Stoke's superb start to the season is the form of the former Everton goalkeeper. The 27-year-old has kept 11 clean sheets this season for the Potters who have the best defensive record in the Championship. A number of Premiership scouts have been at the Britannia Stadium this season to watch the keeper who has just 18 months left on his contract.
