With the Championship season kicking off tonight when Fulham host Newcastle United, CHRIS BRAMMER, looks at 10 players to watch in the seconde tier this season, including Ipswich Town’s very own Teddy Bishop.

Rudy GESTEDE

Club: Aston Villa

Age: 26

Appearances: 25

Giant striker scored 33 Championship goals in 66 appearances for Blackburn, before his big-money move to the Premier League with Aston Villa. Struggled in the top-flight last season, as did most of his team-mates, but should have the edge over most Championship defenders and could prove to be crucial as Villa aim for an immediate return.

Anthony KNOCKAERT

Club: Brighton

Age: 24

Appearances: 16

Made a stunning impact for the Seagulls after signing on a permanent deal from Standard Liege in January, scoring five goals in 16 appearances. Was an integral part of the squad which reached the Championship play-off semi-final and has been linked with a big-money move to Newcastle this summer

Lee TOMLIN

Club: Bristol City

Age: 27

Appearances: 18

Played a big role in City’s successful fight against relegation last season, scoring six goals in 18 games after arriving on-loan from Bournemouth. A consistent scorer in the Championship, Tomlin scored some crucial goals for Middlesbrough before his big-money move to the Premier League and should hit top form again.

Jeff HENDRICK

Club: Derby

Age: 24

Appearances: 211

In and out of the Rams side last season but has seen his reputation grow over the summer, following his performances for Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016. Stared all four of Martin O’Neill’s side’s games and has been linked with a move to Premier League Burnley. Gets goals from midfield.

Danny WARD

Club: Huddersfield

Age: 23

Appearances: N/A

Signed a new five-year deal at Liverpool over the summer, before immediately being farmed out to Huddersfield for a season. Welsh international goalkeeper started his country’s Euro 2016 game against Slovakia and spent time on-loan at Aberdeen last season. Last line of defence in a new-look Town side this season.

Teddy BISHOP

Club: Ipswich

Age: 20

Appearances: 37

His progress was hampered last season through a succession of injuries and Town fans will hoping he can recreate the form of his breakthrough season in 2014-15. Extremely comfortable on the ball and displaying a maturity beyond his years, Bishop could well be the star attraction at Portman Road this season.

Kemar ROOFE

Club: Leeds

Age: 23

Appearances: N/A

All eyes will be on Roofe, who has joined Leeds for a reported £3m after a stunning campaign in League Two with Oxford last season. Former West Brom man Roofe scored 18 goals in 40 games for the U’s last season and also contributed nine assists.

Matt RITCHIE

Club: Newcastle

Age: 26

Appearances: N/A

The Magpies wasted little time in rebuiilding after relegation, bringing in Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle and Bournemouth winner, Matt Ritchie. The latter signed a five-year deal and, at 26, has his best years ahead of him. A full Scotland international, Ritchie scores and creates goals and has a vicious strike from a dead ball.

Robbie BRADY

Club: Norwich

Age: 24

Appearances: 36

A classy left-back or winger, Brady’s stock has risen no end since Euro 2016, where he was arguably Republic of Ireland’s best player, scoring in the famous victory against Italy. That immediately saw Norwich place a £12m price on the player they signed from Hull City the previous summer. Will be keen to return to the Premier League after back-to-back relegations.

Almen ABDI

Club: Sheffield Wednesday

Age: 29

Appearances: N/A

Nicknamed “The Professor” by his former Watford boss, Gianfranco Zola, Abdi was unlucky not to start more games for the Hornets in the Premier League last season.

A classy attacking midfielder, Abdi was a crowd favourite at Vicarage Road for his ability on the ball and goalscoring instincts and could well prove to be a better signing than another former Watford man who joined the Owls, Fernando Forestieri.