Irish in action: pushing for an automatic place at the top table

Birmingham City: Lee Carsley: Now 34 and consigned to history, it seems, by Giovanni Trapattoni, the midfielder has been one of City's players of the year, anchoring the midfield and providing a calming presence for those around him.

Stephen Carr

Only joined a couple of months back to provide emergency cover after Stephen Kelly went on loan to Stoke but Carr has been in decent form and could well be around again next year.

Colin Doyle

Has a point to prove in terms of the Premier League after being dropped just a few games in when City were last promoted but currently very much Maik Taylor’s number two.

Keith Fahey

Something of a hit since his arrival from St Patrick’s Athletic at the start of the year, the Dubliner has made the transition to Championship football almost flawlessly and now finds himself on the brink of playing in the Premier League.

Sheffield United

Paddy Kenny

Consistently rated as one of Sheffield United’s best players, Kenny was dropped by Steve Staunton and has been largely ignored by Giovanni Trapattoni but promotion would strengthen his case for a recall.

Stephen Quinn

Alan’s younger brother thrived on the game’s biggest stage a couple of seasons back and has been a consistent performer for United in the Championship, mixing tireless work in midfield with a sprinkling of goals.

Derek Geary

A versatile defender who was largely used as a man marker when United were last in the top flight. Has been forced to sit out almost the entirety of this campaign due to a succession of injury problems but would hope to feature regularly again next year.

John Joe O’Toole

Hugely promising teenage midfielder who has done well since arriving a couple of months back on loan from Watford. With bags of energy and an eye for goal he could be the Premier League’s next Stephen Hunt . . . if the real one misses out, that is.

Reading

Kevin Doyle

Made a terrific start to the season but the goals dried up a little and a knee injury has hampered him in recent times. Likely, one suspects, to be playing top-flight football next season whether Reading go up or not.

Stephen Hunt

Hasn’t finished the season in quite the form that he started it but still a hugely important figure for Reading and it would be good to see him back in the Premier League.

Noel Hunt

Has had a fine first campaign at Reading with 11 goals in 37 games and is, along with Doyle, one of the three nominees for the player of the season award. His club form has also won him senior international recognition.

Shane Long

Still only 22, the Irish striker’s goals on Monday night kept Reading in the hunt for the second automatic promotion spot and he has done well of late to make his mark in the absence of Doyle.

Jay Tabb

The former Irish under-21 international midfielder has impressed in recent performances having taken a little while to settle after signing from Coventry City during the January window.