Some clubs have already started pinning down players, like Preston securing a new two-year deal for Ryan Ledson or Middlesbrough triggering an extension for Chuba Akpom. But there are nearly 200 players who are currently scheduled to be available in a few months’ time, according to Transfermarkt, and we have used a StokeonTrentLive algorithm to objectively pick out the top 20 for then - or potentially at a knock-down price in the January window. Who would you like to see Neil trying to persuade that their future lies at the bet365 Stadium? Tell us in the comments section. 20) Alex Pritchard, Sunderland, age 29, attacking midfielder: 21 (1) apps, 2 goals, 3 assists Midfielder signed by Alex Neil at Norwich and played under him again at Sunderland. “Zak’s a good player, he’s come through the academy, and he’s probably suffered from being versatile. He’s matured this season there’s been more reliability. “He’s gained experience and developed through the players that he’s played alongside as well so those things together are all a part of a player’s development. Even players in their 30s can develop and improve themselves if they’ve got an open mind. ” He added: “Zak’s stepped up. I thought he was really good against Swansea in that regard, he was very visible. But leadership is more than just organisation. Leadership is a presence and having some sort of an aura as well. People only follow you if they trust you and just because people are in authority doesn’t mean people will follow them. Youth international for both England and Turkey, he came through the ranks at Newcastle United and joined Rotherham in 2020 after an impressive loan spell. Warne had to deny that there was a £1. 5m release clause when transfer speculation built up in the summer, with Championship rivals Blackpool linked. SportingLife wrote: “I have Barlaser rated as one of the best central midfielders in League One last season, and it is easy to see why. He is integral to Rotherham as he gets the ball moving forwards, he’s both aerially and defensively solid, while also being that dog in midfield that looks to break up play too. ” 17) Chiedozie Ogbene, Rotherham, age 25, right winger: 16 (2) apps, 6 goals, 1 assists Republic of Ireland international has helped Rotherham to two promotions and the Papa Johns Trophy in the last three years. Was linked with Swansea in the summer but stayed put when Rotherham triggered an option to extend his contract until next summer. Has been used as a wing-back but it’s further forward that he has really impressed. “Football is a business and that takes care of itself, ” he said about speculation regarding his future. “It’s [outside noise] not going to deviate my focus which is to get back on the pitch and then to contribute to the team doing well. ” Ross Stewart makes his way past Connor Taylor and Tariqe Fosu. "I look after myself, obviously, but a lot of it is fortunate. I'm built a certain way, I've got a robustness and I've played with knocks and strain, I just get on with it. "If you only wanted to play when you felt 100 per cent you wouldn't play many games. I've had a hernia operation in the off-season we got promoted so I never missed a training session then. I must be very lucky. " 5) Ross Stewart, Sunderland, age 26, forward: 7 apps, 6 goals, 3 assists Sunderland have an option to extend Stewart’s current contract for 12 months and would like to make it longer. The 26-year-old was an important figure in the promotion drive under Alex Neil and had already scored five in seven games this season before injury struck. Has been linked with Rangers, Celtic and Swansea. 4) Oli McBurnie, Sheffield United, age 26, forward: 12 (7) apps, 9 goals, 1 assist Another striker linked with Rangers, the former Swansea forward is enjoying his best season so far at Bramall Lane. He credits some tough love from manager Paul Heckingbottom, saying: “He’s on my case all the time. Even when there were other managers and Hecky was here as the (under-23s) manager, even when he was working at other clubs, we always kept in contact. Two Bristol City fans receive bans after pleading guilty to violence after Millwall defeat Two Bristol City fans have pleaded guilty to public order offences following October's game with Millwall with one receiving a ban Ranks third in the division for number of headers won. Has been linked with Rangers. It hasn’t always been easy, he told South London Press: “I was always told I was too slow and not mobile enough. “I trialled for nearly every club in the South. Eventually I played for my school in a national cup final at Old Trafford in the final and got beaten by a Manchester school. There were scouts there and they brought me in. “I played on trial for Reading and we beat Chelsea – that was it from there. I was a left-sided centre-half even back then. Reading FC's next five Championship fixtures compared to Swansea, Millwall, Preston and more ... FC's next five Championship fixtures compared to Swansea, Millwall, January 14 – Bristol City (A) December 29 – Bristol City Kieran was that number 10 option. You can always count on him. Kieran has those skills to help us develop that creative end product, and he is a great lad. ” 14) Ben Wiles, Rotherham, age 23, central midfielder: 23 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist A trio of Rotherham players in this list is completed by their captain, who was subject to a concerted recruitment drive from Burnley in the summer. "I’m never a fan of leaving players until the last years of their contracts, for this reason, so it’s a bit frustrating for us. We’ll wait and see. There will be a time when I can come in and say ‘they’re not signing’ or if they are which will be great news. in the meantime there's been contracts offered and the negotiations continue. " 10) Han-Noah Massengo, Bristol City, age 21, defensive midfielder: 6 (4) apps In first team exile under Nigel Pearson since a poor performance at Birmingham City last month and it appears he may have played his last game for the club. BristolLive wrote: “We all know he can be good enough, and that adjective alone is doing his talent a disservice; at his best a fireball of a midfielder who presses relentlessly, disrupts rhythm and then can break lines and feeds forward players at rapid speed. ” 12) Jay Dasilva, Bristol City, age 24, left wing-back: 20 (1) apps, 1 assist Former Chelsea rookie joined Bristol City in 2018 after impressing on loan at Charlton Athletic in League One. “He is energetic, quick and has the ability to both defend and attack, ” said former manager Lee Johnson. 11) Ryan Manning, Swansea, age 26, left wing-back: 18 (2) apps, 3 goals, 3 assists Another left wing-back, Republic of Ireland international Manning has spent two-and-a-half years at Swansea after five at Queens Park Rangers. Has found his best form after being given a licence to play by Russell Martin. Martin hopes to keep Manning and Joel Latibeaudiere but told WalesOnline: "I think, frustratingly for us, I don't think there is much progress. “There was a feeling in me that I want to try something else but it didn’t happen, now I’m fully focused on playing here until the end of the season and to get back to the Premier League with Norwich. I’ve always felt loved here and I’ve played my best football here. I enjoy it here. ” Teemu Pukki fires a shot at goal as Stoke City lose 3-1 at Norwich. (Image: PA) 7) Jake Cooper, Millwall, age 27, centre-back: 21 (1) apps, 2 goals, 1 assist Giant left-sided centre-back has been with Millwall since joining from Reading in 2017 and, as captain, has helped Gary Rowett challenge for a play-off place in the Championship. Bristol City news and transfers recap: Build-up to Millwall, duo 'linked' with Crystal Palace Until last night, just 16 different players had started league games this season. O'Leary and Klose making that 18 v Preston. ⚽️⚪️⚽️ How to watch the EFL over Christmas and New Year There will also be a further five EFL matches available live on Sky Sports, ... QPR v Luton Town, Millwall v Bristol City, and Blackpool ” 15) Kieran Dowell, Norwich, age 25, attacking midfielder: 7 (8) apps, 1 goals, 2 assists Came back into the Norwich starting XI towards the end of last season in the Premier League but has been a little frustrated by injury this time around. Daniel Farke, who signed him from Everton in 2020, said: “He trains unbelievably hard and in an outstanding way. A fit Kalas, a new Bristol City arrival, an in-form striker - Nigel Pearson's Christmas wishes Another sub appearance against Millwall followed and it seemed as to risk playing Andy King at the back once there's an injury or I was pushed on by the club from day one. “It became a thing where I tried to prove people wrong – that I could run, move and be robust. I think I’m doing alright. I feel better than ever. I was pleased to prove people wrong. ” Jake Cooper of Millwall 6) Oliver Norwood, Sheffield United, age 31, defensive midfielder: 23 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists A constant figure in a key role at Sheffield United, even as almost everyone has got injured around him this season. "I think I'm just fortunate, " he told the Yorkshire Post. Top 20 potential January bargains for Stoke CityAlex Neil insists he won’t be looking too far ahead but it doesn’t stop everyone else from knowing that Stoke City have a big chance to re-shape their squad next year. Stoke only have 12 first team players under contract beyond the end of this season while decisions will have to be made on eight other players and six loan players are scheduled to return to their parent clubs. It will be an interesting year for Stoke in terms of Financial Fair Play too. They will find it difficult to compete with the financial muscle of clubs who have parachute payments but they will also no longer be shackled by expensive contracts signed before the pandemic. It means that no one should expect very many transfer fees next summer – but that Stoke should be able to compete with most of the division for the best free agents. League One outfit ‘identify’ Bristol City striker as main target City's year will then end with a trip to Millwall as they look to him as one of their high priority targets, according to Bristol Their partnership with City allowed the club to offer the then 17-year-old a two-year contract after being alerted of his potential. “Loans at Bath, Newport County and Sunderland would follow until becoming an established member of the City first-team during the 2020/21 campaign. He ended the season with two league goals during a tumultuous campaign that saw manager Nigel Pearson replace Dean Holden. “A long-term injury knee injury threatened to disrupt his progress at the beginning of last season but he returned to the picture around Christmas to transform City's attack. ” 8) Teemu Pukki, Norwich, age 32, forward: 19 (3) apps, 7 goals, 4 assists One of the most prolific Championship strikers, with a knack of getting behind defences. FA Cup third round draw: Man City play Chelsea, Manchester United host Everton while Arsenal go to Oxford United As well as Manchester United vs Everton and Liverpool vs Wolves, there were other all-Premier League ties in the form of Brentford hosting