One to Watch – Jackson Irvine

Name: Jackson Irvine
Date of Birth: 07/03/1993
Previous clubs: Celtic, Kilmarnock (L), Ross County (L), Ross County
Apps (goals): 128 (14)

With rumours circulating that manager Nigel Clough is being sounded out for the vacant post at Nottingham Forest, and a host of clubs interested in top scorer Jackson Irvine ahead of the closure of the transfer window on Tuesday, these are unsettling times for Burton, in their battle to avoid an immediate return to League One.

The club have offered the Australian midfielder a new deal, and remain in a strong position to keep hold of his services until the summer at least, with two-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract, and if the Brewers do manage to retain their Championship status this season, Irvine will have played a major part.

It`s been an impressive first season in English football for the 23-year old since moving south from Scottish Premiership side Ross County in the summer for a reported club record £250,000 fee, a move that saw Clough`s persistence come to fruition after several bids for the player had been refused by the Staggies.

Signed as a 16-year-old by Celtic in 2010, Irvine remained at the Scottish giants for five years, but made just one appearance for the club in that time, which was broken up with season-long loan spells at Kilmarnock and Ross County, before he signed permanently for the latter on a two-year deal before the 2015/2016 campaign.

It proved a good piece of business for County, who paid Celtic a modest development fee following the expiration of his contract with the club, and after clocking up just shy of 100 outings in the Scottish top flight, Irvine completed his move to the Pirelli Stadium following Burton`s promotion winning campaign last term.

With a handful of Australia caps to his name, and eight goals in 24 league appearances so far this season, four of which have come away from home, including in his last away trip at Rotherham before the turn of the year, Irvine looks to have a bright future in the game, and it appears only a matter of time before departs Burton.

His standing in the squad was highlighted when he was named captain in the absence of John Mousinho the home match against Huddersfield in December, and having missed the last three games through injury, all ending in defeats to nil, his goalscoring prowess will be a welcome return for the encounter at Loftus Road.