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Top lower league talent for Stoke City to poach as Derby County reject Jason Knight bids
Derby County have held firm so far as bids have started to come in for star midfielder Jason Knight.
The 22-year-old has been a regular in the starting XI at Pride Park over the last three seasons, and the Rams missing out on promotion from League One has raised anxiety that he might now move. It hasn’t helped their panic that Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has suggested a switch is likely to be on the cards over the next few weeks.
“He’s another one on the verge of a move now,” he said. “A lot of clubs want to buy Jason, which will be good for him, to get back to playing at a level higher than League One. Derby have been great to him, he’s played a high amount of games for them for someone so young. But he’s at that stage where he probably needs to go and play at a higher level to kick on.”
Bristol City have now been unsuccessful with two bids, with the second believed to be worth £1.5 million plus add-ons – and reports in Bristol suggest Nigel Pearson is weighing up with a third offer of about £2m plus add-ons which could swing a sale.
There are also murmurs of interest from Stoke City and Ipswich Town.
But he is not the only talented young player in League One and League Two who Stoke and their second tier rivals will have been watching progress over the last few months. We have already looked at the loan stars who might be on the move this summer and here are 22 more players under 25 who have been catching the eye…
Twenty-two top young lower league talents
Eiran Cashin (Derby, age 21, centre-back, 43 apps, League One)
Republic of Ireland defender just missed out on nomination for EFL young player of the year award after starring with Derby.
Elliot Watt (Salford City, age 23, defensive midfielder, 44 apps, League Two)
Former Wolves rookie has been linked with a move to Preston.
Sam Stubbs (Bradford, age 24, centre-back, 19 apps, League Two)
Snapped up by Mark Hughes from Exeter in January. Hughes credited his organisation, saying: “Sam Stubbs has come in and made a big impact on that. Notwithstanding his ability as a player but he has great vocality and is really strong in his leadership and organisation.”
Jack Taylor (Peterborough, age 24, central midfielder, 44 apps, League One)
Ireland call-up has been linked with Ipswich after consistent form in play-off finish.
Eoin Toal (Bolton, age 24, centre-back, 22 apps, League One)
Moved to Bolton from Derry City last summer and has made “rapid progress” playing in a back three over the last few months.
Has been watched by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, who said: “I think there is a difference between League Two and League One, there is a gap there and the gap is bigger between League One and the Championship. League One is a good place for loans; you see that with the likes of Conor Bradley, it’s also a good starting point for players coming across and you see that with Eoin Toal at Bolton.”
George Johnston (Bolton, age 24, centre-back, 36 apps, League One)
Loosely linked with Stoke in January, the former Liverpool rookie has been a fixture in a side which has racked up clean sheets.
Chris Forino (Wycombe, age 23, centre-back, 30 apps, League One)
Towering defender joined Wycombe after trial period.
Luca Connell (Barnsley, age 22, defensive midfielder, 39 apps, League One)
Former Bolton youth was a big part of Barnsley’s rise into the play-offs under Michael Duff.
Ali Al Hamadi (AFC Wimbledon, age 21, forward, 19 apps, League Two)
Iraq international has been attracting scouts to Wimbledon over the last few months and been linked with clubs including Burnley and Middlesbrough.
Sam Sherring (Northampton, age 23, centre-back, right-back, 36 apps, League Two)
A key player as Northampton won promotion on the back of a series of clean sheets.
“Sam has an old head on young shoulders,” said manager Jon Brady. “He has good game experience, playing two full seasons in the Conference, getting into the Team of the Year, and then he went out on loan to Accrington and and Cambridge in League One, so he’s had a lot of game-time for a young centre-half.”
Luke Bolton (Salford City, age 23, right-back, wing-back, 44 apps, League Two)
Tyrese Campbell’s pal from Man City youth days, he has found regular football at Salford.
Jordan Williams (Barnsley, age 23, right-back, 43 apps, League One)
Has gradually become a key figure at Barnsley and was linked with Preston in January.
Regan Poole (Lincoln City, age 24, defender, midfielder, 45 apps, League One)
Sheffield Wednesday linked with interest in the former Manchester United youth who has been released to ‘explore options at a higher level’.
Director of football Jez George said: “We have done everything possible to keep Regan at the club but he wants to explore options at a higher level and we fully respect that. Regan has been brilliant for Lincoln City, captaining the team on many occasions, including on his final appearance, and is held in high esteem by everyone. We hope that he gets the opportunity he deserves at a higher level of the football pyramid.”
George McEachran (Swindon, age 22, central midfielder, 16 apps, League Two)
Former England youth international joined Jody Morris on a short-term deal at Swindon in February after leaving Chelsea last summer.
Phoenix Patterson (Fleetwood, age 22, left midfielder, 18 apps, League One)
Moved from Fleetwood’s sister club Waterford over the winter and chipped in with four assists and a goal in his first 18 appearances.
Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu (Fleetwood, age 23, centre-back, midfielder, 37 apps, League One)
Versatile former Charlton youth made light work of the step up from League Two after joining Fleetwood from Colchester last summer.
Morgan Feeney (Carlisle, age 24, centre-back, 31 apps, League Two)
Helped Carlisle to promotion and has been linked with Hibs, Hearts and Aberdeen.
Ethan Erhahon (Lincoln City, age 22, defensive midfielder, 19 apps, League One)
Former St Mirren man has hit the ground running at Lincoln.
“We all know he’s a very talented midfielder and this (Lincoln) can be a stepping stone to something even better for him,” said St Mirren academy director Allan McManus.
“He absolutely has another level or two to go. I’ve no doubt he’ll go higher because he’s incredibly talented and he has a brilliant attitude. He’s in the biggest shop window in the world and if he keeps working hard I’ve no doubt he’ll move up the leagues in England.”
Thomas Hamer (Burton, age 23, centre-back, right-back, 35 apps, League One)
All action defender was subject of six-figure interest from Barnsley in January.
Jack Currie (AFC Wimbledon, age 20, left-back, wing-back, 41 apps, League Two)
Performances in League Two have seen him be linked with Bristol City, who were prepared to bid £600,000 in January.
Ephron Mason-Clark (Peterborough, age 23, winger, 39 apps, League One)
Impressed in first season in the EFL after joining from Barnet and been linked with Birmingham.
Mark Helm (Burton, age 21, attacking midfielder, 19 apps, League One)
Former Manchester United and Burnley youth has been handed a platform at Burton and shown a specialty for dead balls.
