The Sky Bet Championship is a division that continues to excite fans all over the country, with the race to reach the Premier League fiercer than ever.

Huddersfield Town and Reading are the surprise candidates in the hunt for a place in next season’s top flight, whilst Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion have, as expected, flourished.

The English second tier has proved to be a real hotbed of talent in recent years and this year has proved no exception, with several players from the division catching the eye of clubs in the top flight in recent months.

As the race for promotion and the fight to stay in the division at the other end intensified, Football League World's Lee Clarke got to work on compiling a list of the ten best players currently playing in the Championship this season.

Dwight Gayle

The division’s top scorer is a natural inclusion to the list following a blistering season in front of goal for Newcastle United.

The striker arrived at St. James’ Park during the summer and he has been the ace in the Magpies’ pack throughout the campaign, smashing 20 goals so far.

Conor Hourihane

The Aston Villa midfielder hasn’t really hit the ground running but his new club but his form at Barnsley was a joy to behold.

The midfielder netted six times for the Tykes before moving to Villa Park for a fee in the region of £6 million.

At 26-years-old he clearly has a bright future ahead of him and Villa fans will be hoping to his very best form soon.

Liam Moore

The central defender signed for Reading in the summer from Leicester City and he has proved himself as one of the Championship’s top players.

His solid defending has been integral to the Royals’ march towards the play-off places and boss Jaap Stam will be hoping he can continue his very best form between now and the end of the campaign.

Chris Wood

The New Zealand international has been in scintillating form for Leeds United this season, plummeting 20 goals for the club in all competitions.

Wood’s main attribute is that he scores all different sorts of goals and his form is vital if Leeds are to secure a top six berth come the end of the season.

Keiren Westwood

The 32-year-old goalkeeper has been in fine form for Sheffield Wednesday this season and has established himself as one of the league’s best goalkeepers.

Westwood’s handling is superb, whilst there are very few keepers who command their box like the Republic of Ireland international does.

Wednesday can count themselves incredibly lucky to have a custodian as able as Westwood.

Jamaal Lascelles

The ex-Nottingham Forest defender took some time to adapt to life at Newcastle United but he has flourished as the club’s captain this season.

The central defender has been a quality player for the Magpies this season and he now looks like a player who is showing the potential that has always been so evident.

Aaron Mooy

The 26-year-old Australian was something of an unknown quantity when he signed for Huddersfield Town on loan from Manchester City in the summer.

After a series of workmanlike performances in the middle of the park for the Terriers he has now proved to everyone that he is capable of being a quality player in English football and particularly the Championship.

Huddersfield could well get promoted this season and if that does happen a large amount of gratitude must be shown to Mooy.

Tammy Abraham

If it weren’t for the goals that Tammy Abraham has netted this season, then Bristol City would be in a world of trouble right now.

The Chelsea loan star has been a revelation in the Championship this season and he genuinely looks like a player who could go on and feature for the Blues’ first-team.

Anthony Knockaert

The Brighton and Hove Albion winger is full of skill and trickery and he looks destined for a crack at the top flight at some point during his career.

The 25-year-old was harshly treated by Leicester City when he was offloaded following promotion to the Premier League, but Seagulls’ boss Chris Hughton will surely give him a shot at redemption should they finish their promotion task this season.

Tom Cairney

The Fulham midfielder has netted six goals for the Cottagers this season but it is his all round performances which have caught the eye.

The Nottingham-born player is one Fulham’s better players and on his day there isn’t a better midfielder in the Championship than the 26-year-old.

Championship fans, what do you reckon to these 10? Who else should be included in the list? Let us know in the comments below!!!