Football enthusiast Lewis Clarke (@FGRLewisClarke) gives us all some insight into the most exciting young prospects developing in the Championship this season.

Goalkeeper – CHRISTIAN WALTON (Brighton & Hove Albion)

The Brighton goalkeeper is rated very highly at the club, culminating in Walton putting pen to paper on a new 4 year deal at the start of the season. First team opportunities have been few and far between with the much more experienced David Stockdale currently between the posts, however the 19 year old did earn a start in the 2-0 League Cup defeat to Tottenham. The Truro born keeper has represented England at U19 and U20 level – making 4 appearances for each.

“Christian has a bright future ahead, with the right application and hard work, he can be a key player at the club. In the next couple of years I’m sure he will try his best to establish himself as the Seagulls’ No. 1.” – Sammy Hyypia

Defender – JOSEPH GOMEZ (Charlton Athletic)

SHORTLISTED FOR CHAMPIONSHIP APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR ’15

At only 17 years of age, Joseph Gomez is making a big impression at Charlton. By 15 he had earned his U18 debut and has so far gone on to make 15 appearances for Charlton’s first team, gaining many plaudits for his strong defensive displays. The Addicks defender is also a fixture in the England youth set up, having featured 22 times for England U16-U19.

Gomez was recently named on the short list for the ‘Championship Apprentice of the Year’, alongside Leeds’ Lewis Cook and Millwall’s Fred Onyedinma. He is a strong physical centre half, who can also play right-back, and reads the game very well. He certainly has the attributes to be a future England star.

Midfielder – LEWIS COOK (Leeds United)

SHORTLISTED FOR CHAMPIONSHIP APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR ’15

Cook is an energetic midfielder that has quite figuratively burst onto the scene at Elland Road, earning 36 appearances this season at 18 years of age and already considered one of the first names on the team sheet. In his central midfield role alongside Luke Murphy Cook has provided that steel that Leeds have lacked recently, leading to interest from several clubs in the Premier League.

Manager Neil Redfearn described the 18 year-old as “the best academy player” he’s ever seen. He commented further: “you forget he’s 18 but what an immense talent he is.”

Redfearn and Leeds will certainly try to keep on to their star man for as long as possible but he could soon make the jump up to the Premier League and he may be an England regular in years to come.

Midfielder – PATRICK ROBERTS (Fulham FC)

Roberts is a very promising player who can play as a second striker but prefers to ply his trade on the right wing. At the age of 18, the speedy winger has made 26 appearances for England’s youth setup, notching a respectable tally of 12 goals. Kingston-Upon-Thames born Roberts has also already played for Fulham 18 times but is yet to score, having deputised in March 2014 against Man City.

Ex-Fulham boss Felix Magath said at the time: “We have an extraordinary talent in Patrick Roberts, he certainly is one for the future. The hierarchy at Fulham have very high hopes of Roberts and they hope he will fulfil his potential.”

Striker – ZACH CLOUGH (Bolton Wanderers)

Clough has made a massive impact on his first professional season in football. Having made his debut just 2 months ago in January he already possesses a goalscoring record that speaks for itself. With 5 goals in 8 games for Wanderers, Clough’s goal to game ratio is pretty impressive.

At 5ft 7in he isn’t the tallest of players but does possess tricky skills and a speedy turn of foot, alongside clinical finishing in front of goal. He is hardworking and ranks highly in the books of manager Neil Lennon, who on many occasions has heralded him as a very special player. At the age of 20 Clough is one of the ‘older’ players in this article but he is no doubt one of the most promising English players coming up the ranks.

Check out this unstoppable free-kick against Wolves in Clough’s senior league debut that left keeper Carl Ikeme rooted to the spot. If that wasn’t enough he went on to bag another just minutes later!

Striker – BRADLEY FEWSTER (Middlesbrough)

This last choice may come as a surprise to a few people as I have left out names like Teddy Bishop, Mason Bennett, Alex Mowatt but I regard Fewster as a very talented and up and coming player. Fewster hasn’t yet made his league debut for Boro but he has featured twice in the League Cup, scoring once. He’s looked lively and a real team player.

Middlesbrough-born Fewster has 16 caps for England youth teams, scoring 13 times. That is a very impressive record, netting against strong defences such as Germany and Belgium. The 19-year-old has been ever present in the Boro U21’s this season and in no time; I expect him to break into Boro’s first team and perhaps secure an England U21 spot.