Players from Leeds United, Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City all feature.
Preston’s Anders Lindegaard celebrates their second goal
With the season fast approaching its end, clubs in the Championship will be deciding on who to bring into the club in the summer, to give them the best possible chance next season.
They will also be looking at which players to keep at the club, with several players across the division out of contract come the season’s end, and those players will soon find out whether they are wanted, or are to seek pastures new. Here’s an out of contract Championship XI, in a 4-4-2 formation.
Goalkeeper – Anders Lindegaard (Preston North End)
The former Manchester United goalkeeper has fallen on hard times sine his Old Trafford departure, and is set to be let go by Preston. Lindegaard has made just 10 appearances in all competitions for the Lilywhites this season, and has started to be phased out of the matchday squad – in some instances, not even getting a place on the bench. It seems very likely that Lindegaard will not be offered a new deal at Deepdale.
Right back – Adam Henley (Blackburn Rovers)
The 22-year-old burst onto the scene with so much promise in 2012, with the then teenager penning a long-term deal, however it seems as if injuries may have derailed his progress somewhat, with Henley making just two Championship outings this term. With Blackburn in serious danger of being relegated to League One, keeping Henley would make sense – but as it stands, the right back will be a free agent come the summer.
Aston Villa’s Leandro Bacuna and Cardiff’s Bruno Ecuele Manga in action
Centre back – Bruno Ecuele Manga (Cardiff City)
Manga has only played half the season for Cardiff, but he’s been an absolute colossus when he has played, to the point where he’s been one of the league’s best defenders in recent months. However, it seems highly likely that Manga will be departing Cardiff in the summer, and could well return to the Premier League – where Cardiff were when they signed him initially.
Centre back – Sebastien Bassong (Norwich City)
The former Newcastle United defender is facing an uncertain future at Norwich City, which isn’t helped by the fact there’s still a lack of a permanent manager at Carrow Road. The Cameroon international – who has made over 100 league appearances for the Canaries – has only featured in 10 Championship matches this season, and could well be heading towards pastures new as things stand.
Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor (R) in action against Blackburn Rovers’ Martin Samuelsen
Left back – Charlie Taylor (Leeds United)
In what has been a turbulent affair of the pitch for Taylor – who had a transfer request rejected last August, as reports BBC Sport – on the pitch, he’s been excellent for Leeds. The 23-year-old has caught the attention of many a Premier League scout, and unless Leeds finish in the play-offs and get promoted, it seems highly likely that Taylor will depart Elland Road in the summer.
Right midfield – Marley Watkins (Barnsley)
An ever-present in the Barnsley side this season with 40 Championship appearances – at time of writing- and 10 goals, it seems bizarre that Barnsley could let the winger walk away from Oakwell for nothing. As of yet, there has been no news at all regarding the club offering the 26-year-old fresh terms, and if that remains the case, then it’s very likely another Championship club will swoop for the winger, who can play down either flank.
Cardiff’s Peter Whittingham scores their first goal
Centre midfield – Peter Whittingham (Cardiff City)
Cardiff City’s seventh longest serving player ever could be on his way out of the club in the summer, with the Bluebirds yet to agree a new deal with the former Aston Villa man. At time of writing, Whittingham has made 455 appearances for Cardiff, scoring 96 goals, and was asked to take a pay cut if he was to remain at the Cardiff City Stadium, as reports BBC Sport. If the 32-year-old leaves, it’s very likely he could go to another Championship club, or even a newly promoted Premier League side.
Centre midfield – Scott Parker (Fulham)
A former England captain, Parker is approaching the end of his career now, and the 36-year-old could well retire at the end of this season. Parker has made 28 Championship appearances at time of writing, but 16 of those have been from the subs bench and it seems as if the game may have passed him by – especially at Fulham, whose pacy and fluid midfield has left Parker on the fringes. A route into coaching or even management may beckon, but if Fulham win promotion at Wembley through the play-offs, that could be the perfect way for Parker to end his playing days.
Cardiff City’s Junior Hoilett and Bristol City’s Mark Little in action
Left midfield – Junior Hoilett (Cardiff City)
The pacy wideman was brought to the club by Neil Warnock when he arrived earlier this season, and the 26-year-old has been a useful player for the Bluebirds, with two goals and four assists coming in 31 games at time of writing. It seems very likely that Hoilett will stay put, with Warnock apparently very confident that the Canada international will pledge his future to the club, as reports Wales Online.
Striker – Libor Kozak (Aston Villa)
The 27-year-old’s Aston Villa nightmare looks set to end soon, with the 2013 Europa League top scorer set to depart Villa Park in a few months. The striker has played just twice for Villa in the Championship this season, both times from the bench, and it was announced by Villa owner Tony Xia that the club tried to do everything they could to sell him during the January transfer window, but ultimately to no avail, as reports the Birmingham Mail.
Striker – Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City)
Much like Bassong, Lafferty’s future is clouded over the fact there’s no permanent manager to make a decision, but it seems a lot more likely that the Northern Ireland international will be departing Carrow Road. Lafferty has made 12 Championship appearances so far this season, all of which have come from the bench, and he’s scored just once. There have been rumours linking him to a return to Rangers, and Lafferty himself has come out and said he would love a return to Ibrox, as reports the Daily Record.
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