Five Talents To Watch In League Two

Increasingly, Championship clubs are looking down the league ladder to pick up who they hope will be the next Football League star.

As the latest transfer window shut, last season's beaten League Two playoff finalists Exeter City lost winger David Wheeler to Queens Park Rangers, having previously seen scoring sensation Ollie Watkins join Brentford earlier in the summer. Blackpool, who beat the Grecians at Wembley, saw Bright Osayi-Samuel join Wheeler at Loftus Road.

Luton hit man Isaac Vassell moved to Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham City, and Lincoln's Sean Raggett will be Norwich bound next summer, after completing a final season at Sincil Bank as a loanee from the Canaries.

As Premier League parachute payments arm the majority of Championship clubs with greater riches than before, it's becoming ever more difficult for lower tier clubs to turn down transfer offers.

And with the scourge of foreign imports showing no signs up let go at the top level, more and more talent is filtering down to the bottom two divisions to get their starts in professional football.

It means the standard in League Two has never been higher. And many who trickle down – or indeed those who start here or come up from the National League – know they have every chance of moving up the league ladder with scouts flocking to capture the next transfer bargain. Increasingly, dipping down the leagues is proving more fruitful than going abroad, with more bang for your buck on offer and the chance to then sell on that player in the future should he prove his worth.

Here are five with the potential to be the next cabs off the rank...

Jorge Grant – Notts County

The attacking midfielder is playing below his natural level right now. On loan from the Championship, he's surely destined to carve out a career at that level at some point.

A stunning first loan spell from parent club Nottingham Forest in the final half of last season saw Grant do more than most to keep Notts in the Football League, scoring six times and assisting more.

His form was so good that Forest, previously minded to release him on a free, instead offered the youngster a three-year contract. Keen for him to get more experience, he was made available for loan again and had interest from the Scottish Premier League and League One but chose to rejoin Notts for the season, having become a fan's favourite last term.

It was a welcome surprise to boss Kevin Nolan’s plans and a bonus addition aside of his transfer targets and it’s one that could see the Magpies flourish.

The 22-year-old, able to play anywhere across the midfield and behind the strikers, has already scored four goals in seven games this season, and his beautifully-flighted cross provided his first assist of the campaign in the 1-0 win over Port Vale on Saturday.

A terrific technician whose first professional goal came for Forest in a cup clash against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, Grant's strike rate in black and white has him on course for 20 goals from midfield. A priceless commodity at any level.

Jack Taylor – Barnet

The teenager announced himself to the Football League by scoring a stunning injury-time winner against title favourites Luton Town in August.

The curling 25-yard effort was his first professional goal, having eased his way in with 15 appearances last term. Now he is set to play a full role as a starting midfielder for Rossi Eames’ underrated Bees.

Taylor was schooled in Chelsea’s academy and his technique is indicative of a Premier League upbringing. At just 19, he already appears to have many of the attributes required to become a rounded modern-day midfielder.

The strike against Luton illustrated his confidence and technique, while he is also very adept in possession and has the energy required to compete box-to-box in an unforgiving league.

Eames has spoken of Taylor’s potential and believes he will rise to the top – the question is how soon that will be.

Jodi Jones – Coventry City

A hat-trick on the first day as the Sky Blues downed Notts County 3-0 signalled Jones’ intent, and although he has yet to add to his tally, he continues to be the form winger in the division.

Another 19-year-old with bags of potential, Jones first broke into the Football League with Dagenham & Redbridge, scoring his first goal in a 4-0 win a Accrington when just 17. He was one of few bright sparks as the Daggers were relegated a year later, reportedly attracting 30 scouts to one game.

Signed by Coventry, he was unable to impact their drop into the fourth tier last term, but has immediately been installed as a regular starter by new boss Mark Robins.

Despite his tender years, Jones having had two full seasons in this and the level above – both ending in relegation – mean he is already one of the more senior professionals at the Ricoh, and has added bags of character to his promising ability.

Proved his composure and technical ability in front of goal against the Magpies, and is also blessed with lightning pace, close control and a willingness to beat his marker. A throwback to old school widemen, Jones will be key to firing the Sky Blues back on an upward trajectory at last.

Scott Kashket – Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe fans were disappointed by a lack of summer transfer activity, but the impending return of Kashket from a long-term injury will certainly feel like a new buy.

Kashket was in stunning form when injury curtailed his and Wycombe’s progress as he missed the majority of the final third of last season. The striker scored 16 goals in 26 games last term, and formed a formidable partnership with Adebayo Akinfenwa, the duo responsible for 58 league goals between them.

The 21-year-old repaid the faith shown in him by Chairboys manager Gareth Ainsworth, having suffered during the early stages of his career, leaving him to contemplate premature retirement. From being told he was too small, suffering a cruciate injury while seeking a route into football in Spain, and ligament damage when on trial with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, to being jettisoned by boyhood club Leyton Orient whose eccentric owner Francesco Becchetti ran to inform the manager not to play him when he was stripped off ready to come on as a substitute!

Should Kashket overcome another injury setback and return to the form showed last term, he will surely move up through the leagues. Quick, nimble and hard-working up top, Kashket’s goals make him a real threat.

George Cooper – Crewe Alexandra

One that nearly went during this transfer window – and surely it’s only a matter of time before the latest success story of Crewe’s much-vaunted academy moves on.

Cooper scored 10 goals and made 14 assists in a fine last season, and looks to have carried on that form this term so far in helping the Alex to a solid start under Dave Artell.

The dead-ball specialist has a sweet left foot and has been the subject of transfer gossip. Artell admitted he has a price tag on his head and talked up Cooper’s chances of being able to star at Championship level immediately.

The 20-year-old made his debut aged 17 and won the League One Apprentice of the Year Award in 2015.