FL 125 Championship

As Sky Sports picks out 125 players to watch in the Football League, here's the Championship 31-65.

With the Football League currently celebrating its 125-year anniversary since inception and with the new season to get underway in earnest at the weekend, we've spread our net across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two to pick out 125 shining lights outside of the Premier League for the 2013/14 campaign. Even if you're the type of supporter that doesn't have to debate whether the glass is half-full or half-empty because you've long-since since drained the contents, there's no need for despair as we've picked out at least one player from every club. In total, we've ranked 65 players from the Championship and selected 30 each from Leagues One and Two respectively as those most likely to make a significant impact this season. It's all a matter of opinions though and we'd love to hear yours. So if we've got your club's star man all wrong or missed a young kid all set for a breakthrough campaign let us know by filling in the feedback form below.

31. Blackpool - Matt Phillips

Blackpool may have taken up a one-year option on Phillips' contract, but whether he sees that extended agreement out remains to be seen. He has been dominating transfer gossip columns for some time now, with Premier League sides aplenty said to be mulling over an approach for his services. The 22-year-old would not come cheap, but he could be seen as an alternative to club colleague Tom Ince - who now appears set to stay at Bloomfield Road until at least January. Phillips has been capped on two occasions by Scotland, but needs to convince Gordon Strachan that he is deserving of further international recognition - a challenge he can be expected to meet head on.

32. Leicester City - Wes Morgan

Widely regarded as one of the most complete centre-halves outside of the Premier League, Leicester netted themselves quite the bargain when they lured Morgan away from home-town club Nottingham Forest in January 2012. A hulking defender who is strong in the air and in the tackle, it has come as no surprise to learn that Forest are keen to take the 29-year-old back to the City Ground now that there financial struggles are over. Leicester, though, have handed Morgan their captain's armband and will demand a sizeable fee for his services as they endeavour to put a contract extension in place.

33. Nottingham Forest - Andy Reid

It never quite worked out for Reid after his departure from the City Ground in 2005. Glimpses were shown at Tottenham, Charlton and Sunderland but fitness and confidence issues consistently held him back. Now back at Nottingham Forest, Reid once again looks settled and happy, reflecting in his impressive form. Only four players in the division registered more assists than Reid last season, but the most impressive aspect of the midfielder's performance was his evidently improved stamina.

34. Leeds United - Ross McCormack

A 19-goal return in 2011/12 would have you believe that the Scot should be deployed down the middle, with it obvious that he knows his way to the back of the net. He is, however, as effective, if not more effective, when operating from a wider role. He proved that last season with an impressive return of 11 assists in the league. Only three players could better that tally in the Championship, and McCormack also weighed in with eight goals in all competitions. He will feel he should be breaking into double figures every year - regardless of where he starts - but Leeds have moved to add Matt Smith and Noel Hunt to their ranks this summer so there will not be as much pressure on him to deliver on that front in 2013/14.

35. Blackburn Rovers - Scott Dann

You don't get too many £6million players in the Championship, never mind £6million centre-halves. Dann, though, demanded that fee when he was taken to Blackburn from Birmingham in 2011. At the time, he was being linked with some of the top clubs in the country and was touted as a potential England international. Relegation out of the top flight was not part of the plan, but Dann was an ever-present for Rovers last season as they adjusted to life away from the spotlight. Speculation suggests he could be on the move before the summer window slams shut, as Blackburn look to cut costs, but for now he is club captain at Ewood Park and will lead them into 2013/14.

36. Watford- Joel Ekstrand

Watford's success last season, which took them to within 90 minutes of the Premier League, is all the more remarkable when you consider how many loanees Gianfranco Zola had to bed into his ranks. The vast majority were experiencing life in England for the first time, but once they found their feet the Hornets took flight. Ekstrand was among those to earn plenty of plaudits, with the Swedish defender figuring in over 30 Championship fixtures. He has been brought back to Vicarage Road on a three-year contract and will be hoping to step up into the top flight with the Hornets in the not too distant future.

37. Sheffield Wednesday - Michail Antonio

Antonio's debut season at Hillsborough ended on an injury low, but he offered enough prior to picking up an untimely knock to suggest that Sheffield Wednesday have acquired themselves quite a player. He was snapped up after initially impressing on loan, and has justified the faith shown in his talent - something he lacked at Reading. A tricky winger who knows his way to goal, 23-year-old Antonio will be looking to burst out of the blocks and further enhance his growing reputation over the course of the next 10 months.

38. AFC Bournemouth - Matt Ritchie

Given that Ritchie made his Premier League debut for Portsmouth in April 2009, it seems odd that, at 23, this will be his first season as a starter above the third tier. Having only joined Bournemouth in January from League One rivals Swindon Town (a transfer that saw Paulo Di Canio hand in his resignation at the club), the winger's form helped effect a glorious run of form that culminated in automatic promotion to the Championship. After being named League Two Player of the Year in 2011/12, Ritchie repeated the feat last season at the next step up. All eyes will be on how he copes with Championship life.

39. Leicester City - Chris Wood

Given his size and strength, it comes as something of a surprise that Wood is still just 21 years of age. After failing to establish a first team place at West Brom following a move from his native New Zealand, Wood finally found impressive goalscoring form during a four-month loan spell at Millwall during last season. When the January transfer window came Wood favoured a permanent move to Leicester over remaining at the Den, but the goal record continued. Leicester fans will be hoping that Wood's form instigates an automatic promotion bid this season.

40. Middlesbrough - Jason Steele

Named as Middlesbrough's Player of the Season last year, Steele was the only player to play every minute of the club's league season. Aged just 22, the goalkeeper has England U21 caps and even represented Great Britain against Brazil in the run in to the Olympic Games last summer. In a division in which fine goalkeepers are numerous, Steele has the potential to be the best. Middlesbrough's pressing concern is holding onto their young asset.

41. Charlton Athletic - Chris Solly

There are a number of talented full-backs currently plying their trade in the Football League, and most of them have been noted by Premier League scouts. Solly is among those to have drawn admiring glances from the top table in English football, and could soon be dining among the elite. Charlton will need to be paid big money if they are to cash in on the 22-year-old, though, as they are determined to ensure that they are the ones to benefit from his considerable talent. Solly has been named Charlton's Player of the Year in each of the past two seasons.