Burton Albion will start preparing for their upcoming season in the Sky Bet Championship for the first time in their history in the coming months.
The Brewers achieved automatic promotion from League One last weekend courtesy of a 0-0 draw at Doncaster Rovers, which secured Nigel Clough's side back-to-back promotions.
However, the hard work begins now in trying to keep his side in the second tier of English football, where the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa will be playing their trade next season.
Here, we take a look at three individuals that Clough should look to add to the Brewers’ roster to secure a place in the Championship for the season after next...
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 PLAYERS!
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Jake Buxton
Wherever Nigel Clough ends up, he always makes sure to bring a few former allies from his time at Derby County with him.
So far with Burton, it’s been Stephen Bywater on a free and Mason Bennett on an emergency loan deal, whereas with Sheffield United it was Paul Coutts, John Brayford, Kieron Freeman, Connor Sammon on loan and Ben Davies, who has now moved on elsewhere.
With all this said, it certainly wouldn’t surprise anyone if he moved for another Derby ace any time soon and, with Jake Buxton struggling to break into the Rams’ starting eleven, it may be time for fans' favourite Buxton to move on.
He’d bring that passion into a Burton team that need lots of it going into the new season.
A return to the Brewers is certainly worth a shout.
Emile Heskey
As it stands, the Burton Albion squad is vastly unexperienced at this level.
Thus, a player with experience is definitely needed and, with Heskey recently being released by relegated club Bolton Wanderers, it could be time for the Englishman’s last professional season, and why not have it with Burton?
He certainly wouldn’t be guaranteed to start, but a big character such as himself will surely boost the dressing room's morale heading into tough fixtures.
With 137 professional goals to his name, seven of them for England, Heskey certainly knows where to put the ball.
It’s clear to see that age is beginning to take toll on his game, but the 38-year-old may still have something to offer at this level.
Viv Solomon-Otabor
A good mix of youth, skill and experience is what makes a good team, and Solomon-Otabor certainly ticks two of these boxes.
The 20-year-old has picked up 35 league appearances so far in his career and looks likely to continue his career with Birmingham City in the near future.
However, the Nigerian may be available on loan next year and, if so, that’s something that Burton should look into.
The Brewers will need plenty of cover heading into this hard-hitting league, and this man may just help them in that case.
Burton fans... what do you think? Would you like to see any of these at your club? Who would you like to see play at the Pirelli on a regular basis? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!