The Championship season is approaching the critical run-in stage, with numerous results to be decided between now and the end of the regular 46-game season on May 2nd.

As always, the biggest ‘pot of gold’ for several second-tier clubs right now is the wealth and exposure that comes with promotion to the Premier League.

The promotion race has seen plenty of twists and turns this season, and due to the Championship’s unpredictability throughout history, many more cannot be ruled out at this point, while there is still a remarkable ongoing battle for the play-off places.

Sheffield Wednesday’s fate has already been sealed, with the Owls suffering the EFL’s quickest-ever relegation to League One as a result of well-documented financial uncertainty and an 18-point deduction throughout the season, while Oxford United, Leicester City, and West Bromwich Albion are three of the teams currently fighting to stay afloat.

Throughout the campaign, not only have some sides received a lot of praise for continually proving critics wrong, but certain individuals have also been highlighted.

Whether in the form of managers, players, or the models established by ownership groups, the overall performance of some has frequently come under scrutiny, for both good and poor reasons.

However, some may not have received the flowers that their contributions throughout the campaign deserved, yet others would argue that this has also allowed them to remain under the radar in terms of delivering constant performance levels.

Having said that, there are other players who could fit into that category for a variety of reasons, and Football League World has identified the top seven.

Regan Slater

Hull City have been the surprise package of the season under Sergej Jakirovic, overcoming several injury concerns and a two-window transfer fee ban to earn their first Premier League appearance in nine years.

While Oli McBurnie and Joe Gelhardt have earned plenty of praise for their goals, Regan Slater is not often given the same recognition outside of East Yorkshire.

The center midfielder, who cost only £50,000 from Sheffield United in January 2022 after a previous loan, is having his greatest season in black and amber, less than a year after being criticised for a lack of consistency in 2024/25.

Slater’s combativeness in the middle of the pitch has complemented Amir Hadziahmetovic’s technical abilities, and the 26-year-old has undoubtedly added more goal contributions to his name, including a magnificent strike against Swansea City on January 24th.

Unsurprisingly, there is a strong desire to renew his contract sooner rather than later, given it ends on June 30.

Joe Ward

Derby County’s season has been inconsistent under John Eustace, but no one at Pride Park doubts Joe Ward’s steadiness.

While Patrick Agyemang has made headlines in DE24, the former Peterborough United player has put an injury-plagued season behind him with dynamism and flair on the right wing.

The 30-year-old, who can play right-back or right midfield, has already reached double figures in goal contributions across all competitions, thanks in large part to a stunning purple patch near the end of 2025, when he recorded one goal and seven assists in ten appearances, four of which came against Sheffield United, Hull, Blackburn Rovers, and Watford.

Femi Azeez

Although Femi Azeez has begun to receive widespread plaudits outside of the Millwall supporters, it is fair to say that this has not always been the case this season for the Lions winger.

After signing from Reading in August 2024, the 24-year-old is making the £1 million sum paid by the club under Neil Harris seem like a bargain.

Azeez had a difficult first season at The Den, despite Millwall’s late but unsuccessful drive for the top six, but he has been Alex Neil’s main playmaker this season in a side that isn’t known for scoring goals.

The versatile attacker has had two fine purple patches this season in SE16, the first coming in October when he netted four goals and added an assist in three weeks, before bursting into life once more at the turn of 2026, including a stunning volley against Birmingham City on February 25th in a 3-0 rout.

As a result, many people can now see why promotion rivals Ipswich Town pursued his signature in the last hours of the winter transfer window.

Lloyd Jones

Charlton Athletic has also had a mixed season in their first season back in the Championship since 2020, with survival still the primary goal for Nathan Jones.

The Addicks have likewise not been noted for their goal-scoring prowess this season, with many of their victories coming by a single goal and defensive stability, as demonstrated by the Welshman’s namesake, Lloyd Jones.

The 30-year-old was selected to the League One Team of the Season last season and has continued his strong form for the Reds this season, winning just shy of 500 ground and aerial battles against opposing forwards while also helping his team keep over 10 clean sheets.

Jones’ efforts will be critical to Charlton’s survival, and fans will hope that he is signed to a new contract, as his present one expires next summer.

Christian Walton

Ipswich Town’s depth has been well chronicled this season, but Christian Walton’s services should not be overlooked if the Tractor Boys return to the Premier League at the first opportunity.

The 30-year-old only appeared twice during the club’s 2023/24 promotion-winning season, but has filled in since October when Alex Palmer sustained a major calf injury.

Walton’s first appearance of the season saw him keep goal for 66 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Charlton on October 21st, but he has since proven his worth by rising to the top of the clean sheet stats after keeping 11 clean sheets in Town’s 3-0 victory over Swansea at Portman Road on February 28th.

Matt Crooks

Next up is Matt Crooks, another Hull midfielder whose important presence for the Tigers was felt after a brief absence in February before his rather fortuitous, yet crucial strike against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

The 32-year-old has spent time in the Championship with Rotherham United and Middlesbrough, and his first signing in January 2025 proved critical in City’s survival in the division last May based on goal difference.

Crooks, on the other hand, has been viewed under Jakirovic’s system as the ‘glue’ that connects Hull’s midfield and attack due to his ability to carry the ball forward, technical abilities, and overall tenacity.

Now that the aforementioned injury issues appear to be behind him, it would be unsurprising if the midfielder continued to play an important role in City’s promotion drive.

Tommy Conway

Last but not least on this list is Middlesbrough forward Tommy Conway.

Despite not scoring the most goals in the Championship this season, the ex-Bristol City man has been in excellent form in recent weeks under Kim Hellberg.

While being the primary point in attack, Conway’s ability to link play with numerous of the Reds’ other offensive and creative outlets, such as Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker, has been critical to the Teesside club’s exceptionally productive start to 2026 on the goalscoring front.

After scoring 13 goals under Michael Carrick last season, the Scotland international still has plenty of time to reach double figures and assist Premier League football return to the Riverside Stadium at the start of next season.