Three forgotten Championship stars with a point to prove

With the Championship campaign set to start this time next week, we identify three players that, for one reason or another, will be hoping to prove a point this season and see regular first team action in their respective colours.

Oliver Burke (West Bromwich Albion)

Having endured two bitterly disappointing seasons since leaving Nottingham Forest, Burke is back at the level where he made his name and will be desperate to prove that he can have the same influence. Moves to RB Leipzig and West Bromwich haven’t worked to now but he’ll be hoping to make real waves with the latter this season provided he can see regular action for the first time at the Hawthorns.

The 21-year-old started just two of 15 Premier League appearances last season and while he may have made the move from Forest too soon, this is a chance to get back on track. The Scotland international averaged 3.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in the previous campaign and could be a real weapon for the Baggies as they bid to return to the top-flight at the first attempt.

Jefferson Montero (Swansea)

You forgot about him, didn’t you? It’s no surprise really, having spent the second half of last season in his native Ecuador at Emelec, but Montero is back in Wales and, at 28, could still have plenty to offer new manager Graham Potter. At his electrifying best the winger terrorised some of the Premier League’s top teams in the past and while that was some time ago now, if he can find form and fitness the wide man could be a real star in the second tier.

There’s a reason why he has never established himself as a first team regular at the Liberty since signing in 2014 but if Montero can find more consistency at a lower level he’ll be a nightmare for opposition full-backs. He averaged five successful dribbles per 90 in his last season at the club, and like Burke he’ll be keen to exploit a fresh start.

Andre Green (Aston Villa)

Having missed the vast majority of last season through injury, youngster Green will feel he has to make up for lost time and following the departure of a number of key players will be confident of seeing plenty of action. It was his injury that led to the introduction of eventual top scorer Albert Adomah in the previous campaign, but with Robert Snodgrass returning to West Ham and time ticking in the transfer window following a tumultuous and uncertain summer at Villa Park, Steve Bruce is short of options out wide.

Green started last season as first choice on the left and in one of only four starts prior to injury scored a stunner in a 4-2 win over Norwich, more recently thundering home a late consolation in a friendly with West Ham. With power and pace in abundance, if the winger can stay injury free he’s one top watch this season.