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The players Leeds, Aston Villa and other Championship clubs could lose if they fail to win Premier League promotion this season

Teemu Pukki, Jay Rodriguez and Joe Lolley could all be on the move this summer

The race for promotion is heating up with just over a month of the Championship remaining.

Norwich, Leeds, Sheffield United and West Brom are competing for a top-two spot, while at least seven clubs are fighting for a play-off place.

talkSPORT.com looks at the players clubs in England's second tier could lose if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League this season.

Norwich, 1st, 78 points

Teemu Pukki

 Teemu Pukki is the Championship's top scorer
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Teemu Pukki is the Championship's top scorer

Pukki has taken the Championship by storm since joining Norwich on a free transfer from Brondby last summer. The 28-year-old has scored 24 goals in 32 league games to help the Canaries to the summit of the table. He has been one of the Championship bargains of the century.

Sheffield United, 2nd, 74 points

Dean Henderson

 Dean Henderson is a fans' favourite at Bramall Lane
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Dean Henderson is a fans' favourite at Bramall Lane

The Manchester United loanee has been crucial to Sheffield United’s promotion push. The goalkeeper has played every single minute of their campaign and is part of the second-best defence in the division, conceding just 34 goals. Henderson played in League One last season, moved up to the Championship this term and could be looking at a step-up to the Premier League this summer.

Leeds, 3rd, 73 points

Kemar Roofe

 Kemar Roofe was on fire before his injury
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Kemar Roofe was on fire before his injury

Roofe netted 14 goals before damaging knee ligaments in February and it is hoped he will play some part in Leeds’ run-in. But with his contract expiring next year, Premier League clubs could be on red alert if Leeds fail to go up this season.

West Brom, 4th, 67 points

Jay Rodriguez

 Jay Rodriguez is enjoying a prolific season in front of goal
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Jay Rodriguez is enjoying a prolific season in front of goal

Rodriguez has been integral to West Brom’s top-two push. Despite competing with prolific striker Dwight Gayle, Rodriguez has been the club’s first-choice frontman. With 18 goals to his name, the 29-year-old, who was linked with a return to Burnley last summer, will not be short of suitors at the end of the season.

Middlesbrough, 5th, 58 points

Dael Fry

 Dael Fry has come through the ranks at Middlesbrough
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Dael Fry has come through the ranks at Middlesbrough

Fry is part of the meanest defence in the Championship with Boro’s back-five leaking 31 goals this season. The England Under-21 international’s reputation continues to grow and the club could find it hard to keep him if they don’t end their two-year exile from the Premier League.

Aston Villa, 6th, 57 points

Tammy Abraham

 Tammy Abraham, on loan from Chelsea, is lethal in the Championship
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Tammy Abraham, on loan from Chelsea, is lethal in the Championship

It’s obvious that Aston Villa’s only chance of keeping Abraham depends on what division they’re playing in next season. The Chelsea loanee is the Championship’s third-joint top scorer with 21 goals. But he has just one goal in seven games and Villa will need to get him firing again. After failing to make his mark in the Premier League with Swansea, Abraham is likely to want another chance in the 2019/20 campaign.

Preston, 7th, 57 points

Callum Robinson

 Bournemouth are admirers of Callum Robinson
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Bournemouth are admirers of Callum Robinson

Robinson missed three months of action with a hamstring injury earlier this season, but has still netted nine times to aid Preston’s unlikely promotion push. Bournemouth, who have history of delving into the Championship market, are believed to be tracking £7million-rated Robinson. The Republic of Ireland international will want to add to his four Premier League appearances he made with Aston Villa at the start of his career in 2014.

Derby County, 8th, 56 points

Harry Wilson

 Wilson is currently enjoying the best season of his short career
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Wilson is currently enjoying the best season of his short careerCredit: getty

Wilson has already been linked with a move to Leeds in the summer transfer window. The Wales winger’s 12 goals have helped keep Derby in and around the top six throughout the season. However, their promotion push has stalled after one win in seven games. Liverpool loanee Wilson will need to go to an extra level to ensure the Rams secure a play-off place.

Bristol City, 9th, 55 points

Callum O’Dowda

 Callum O’Dowda is yet to commit his future to Ashton Gate
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Callum O’Dowda is yet to commit his future to Ashton Gate

In January, Bristol City activated an option to extend O’Dowda’s deal until the end of next season. Reports claim the Republic of Ireland ace is stalling on a new long-term deal, though. This could play into the hands of Leeds, who have been linked with the winger, and other mid-table top-flight clubs. O’Dowda has impressed for the Robins in the second tier since joining from Oxford United in 2016.

Sheffield Wednesday, 10th, 55 points

Adam Reach

 Adam Reach is no stranger to scoring stunning goals
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Adam Reach is no stranger to scoring stunning goals

Reach has been known for scoring outrageous long-range goals over the past two seasons. He is an ever-present for Wednesday, who hope to sneak into the top six under Steve Bruce’s guidance. His wand of a left foot, eight goals and seven assists have made him one of the Championship’s standout performers.

Nottingham Forest, 11th, 54 points

Joe Lolley

 Joe Lolley has been one of Nottingham Forest's best players this season
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Joe Lolley has been one of Nottingham Forest's best players this season

After struggling for playing time with Huddersfield in the Premier League, Lolley joined Nottingham Forest in January 2018 - and his form has been fantastic ever since. The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and registered nine assists for Martin O’Neill’s side this season. Bournemouth were reportedly preparing a £10million bid for Lolley in the January transfer window - could they make another move this summer?

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