The following article was written by Jonothon Ogle of Football Fancast. Read the latest football news and blogs as well as listen to the latest podcasts at FFC. – ed

The January transfer window is fast approaching, and in recent times it has become something of a ‘bargain market’, with Premiership clubs looking to unearth some cheap gems from the Football League. Here is a look at some of the more likely sought after players from the Football League, that the top-flight sides may decide to take a chance on:

Lewis McGugan – The Nottingham Forest midfielder has been in devastating form for the Reds this season, scoring some quite sublime goals to propel him to the top of the Forest scoring charts. It’s a fantastic turnaround for McGugan, after having to work a lot on his fitness in the summer after being criticised about his weight and attitude by manager Billy Davies. The Nottingham- born man has responded well to the Scot’s call, and has returned this season with a real appetite for the game. He already has nine goals to his name, of which at least five will all be challengers for the Championship goal of the season. McGugan has been linked to West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa and he is sure to be one of the most sought after players in this January window.

Andy King – The Welsh international has revelled in his new role as skipper of Leicester City, since manager Sven Goran-Eriksson gave him the role after he took over at the Walkers. King has really matured as a player over the last couple of seasons, and the Foxes are reaping the rewards this campaign with King being the catalyst in their side and the midfielder has chipped in with nine goals. After becoming a permanent fixture in the Welsh set-up, the 22-year-old is bound to be attracting the attention of some top-flight clubs. However, with Leicester now being bank-rolled by their new Thai owners, who are expecting promotion this season as a minimum, it is unlikely that they are going to cash in on their most prized asset.

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Charlie Austin – The former brick-layer has come a long way since being released by Reading for being too small. After that set-back, Austin played semi-professionally for Poole Town in the Wessex league while continue to earn a living with his brick-laying. That was until Swindon Town took a gamble on him and he has repaid the Robins by firing them to the League One Play-Off final in his first season in professional football. Austin has continued his goal glut this campaign, already having 14 strikes to his name and he could be a gamble worth taking for some top-flight clubs, and almost certainly most Championship outfits.

Kris Commons – The Derby County playmaker is a hated figure in Nottingham, after he left Forest for arch rivals Derby in 2008, but outside of there the Scottish international has a whole host of admirers. Since Nigel Clough took charge of the Rams and moved Commons into a more central attacking role rather then his, at the time, accustomed role as a left winger, Commons hasn’t looked back with some eye-catching displays. He is the Rams’ top scorer this campaign, and with him stalling on a new contract he could certainly be a player that top flight clubs may look to take on the cheap in January- or even for free at the end of the season.

Scott Loach – The Watford stopper earned national recognition when he was called up to the England squad earlier in the year, and since then has further enhanced his reputation with some fine displays in goal for the Hornets. Has been touted as a real star of the future and has been linked in the past to Villa, Fulham and even Arsenal. Whether Loach is ready to be plunged straight into a side going for the Premiership title remains to be seen, but Arsene Wenger remains less than convinced with his current goalkeepers and may be tempted to take a gamble on Loach- admittedly this is unlikely, but stranger things have happened.

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