Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
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5 – Matt Tubbs – Striker – Crawley Town. Any League One or Championship clubs looking for a potential bargain in the goal scoring department need look no further than Crawley Town star Matt Tubbs. With a total of 16 goals already this season, Tubbs has continued his prolific record of recent years and the 27 year old now has 138 goals from 253 career appearances. However, Tubbs is also someone who has never applied his trade at a higher level than League Two and therefore could be seen as something of a risk. With Crawley sitting pretty at the top of the league, it will take a decent bid to prise their top scorer away, but he could prove a good buy for a club higher up the football ladder. Estimated price: £100,000 - £200,000.
4 – Jason Walker – Striker – York City. Another slightly unknown but very gifted centre forward. If York can hold on to Walker until the end of this season then I back them to secure promotion from the Blue Square Bet Premier League, but keeping the prolific striker at Bootham Crescent for much longer could prove to be difficult. Walker has 15 goals so far, but his general play is exceptional and makes him stand out from other players at his level. His greatest asset apart from being prolific in front of goal is the way he is able to drop off the front line and pick the ball up rather than relying on constant service. Estimated price: £50,000 - £100,000.
3 – Matt Lowton – Defender – Sheffield United. From the school of full backs that has produced the likes of Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton comes the next instalment of quality, Matt Lowton. An ever present stalwart of the Sheffield United back four this season, Lowton is undoubtedly one of The Blades’ prime assets along with Ched Evans. At just 22 years old, Lowton has his whole career ahead of him, and although best deployed at right back, he is competent on the right wing or at centre back as well. Estimated price: £300,000 - £500,000.
2 – Ben Marshall – Midfielder – Stoke City (on loan at Sheffield Wednesday). Marshall is possibly the most sought after player outside the Premier League this January, and I’m not just saying that because I am a Wednesday fan. A winger of real quality with pace, a good cross, an eye for goal, and like any good player nurtured by Tony Pulis, an excellent long throw. Marshall is only 20 years old and seems set to sign a new contract at Stoke very soon, but with five clubs having declared their interest, they will at least have to consider selling him. It seems more likely that he will sign a loan deal somewhere, and I sincerely hope he extends his stay in the blue side of Sheffield! Estimated price: £750,000 - £1.5 million.
1 – Jordan Rhodes – Striker – Huddersfield Town. With 27 goals to his name this season so far for club and country, Rhodes has certainly placed himself right in the shop window, and I will be amazed if he is still playing for Huddersfield at the end of the month. There doesn’t really seem to be much more to say than he is the best player outside the top two divisions and his eye for goal is exceptional. I would imagine that Lee Clark’s number one priority this January will be to keep hold of his goal scoring ace, and I am willing to say that if Rhodes leaves Huddersfield then they will not get promoted this year. He really is that important. He will demand a serious fee. Estimated price: £1 million – £2 million.
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