Six of the Best: League Two Stars

The players in the lower leagues of English football may well be the stars of tomorrow. In a new monthly Six of the Best feature, here are the six of the best players from League Two at the moment, in no particular order:

Aaron Mclean (Peterborough United)

Deadly striker with 27 goals in all competitions this season. Explosive over short distances, good in the air despite his lack of height (5'8"). Possesses a prodigious work rate. A late developer who will be 25 in May, with his best years still ahead of him. Was linked with a £2m move to Charlton Athletic in the transfer window, but is looking to climb the leagues with his current club at the moment.

Nicky Adams (Bury)

Livewire attacking midfielder with nine goals and 11 assists to his name this season in all competitions, despite his club sitting at the wrong end of the table. Born in England, but is representing Wales. Made his debut at U21 level in the impressive 4-2 win against France's U21 in November 2007. Renowned for spectacular goals, likely to move on to greater things soon, perhaps in the summer.

Dean Lewington (MK Dons)

Impressive leftback who has been with the club through the controversial transition from Wimbledon to MK Dons. Son of former Watford and Fulham caretaker manager Ray Lewington, he is strong and determined and possesses a wicked left foot. Could have moved to Championsip teams in summer 2007, but stayed after the appointment of Manchester United and England legend Paul Ince as Dons manager. Just 23 but with more than 150 league appearances to his name, and tall for a full back at 5ft 11'.

Anthony Pilkington (Stockport County)

Versatile attacker who can play wide either side or through the middle as he is two footed—a rarity in any English player. Failed to make the grade at Preston, Manchester United, and Blackburn Rovers as a youngster, before signing for Stockport when they noticed him turning out for his college team. Has gone on to be revelation with 10 goals in 32 appearances, and at only 19 years of age, is likely to quickly find himself at a higher level if he continues his progress.

Joe Lewis (Peterborough United)

Twenty-year-old Goalkeeper who became a record signing for 'The Posh' when joining from Norwich City for £400,000 in the January transfer window. Has already been called up to two England U21 squads without yet featuring, at 6'6" he has the height to match the likes of Petr Cech and David James. Already earning rave reviews at Peterborough, thanks to saving a last minute penalty against Chesterfield in front of Fabio Capello's watching right hand man and England legend, Stuart Pearce.

George Boyd (Peterborough United)

Another third of the Peterborough attacking trio (along with the aforementioned Aaron Mclean and the pacy Craig Mackail-Smith) who have netted a staggering 56 goals in all competitions between them this season. Boyd, a primarily left sided player who likes to drift infield, was comically nicknamed 'The White Pele' while at Stevenage Borough. While such comparison can be met with tongue firmly in cheek, Boyd has an array of ball skills that belong on a far bigger stage than League 2, as well as a penchant for wonder goals. The most expensive non-league player in history when Peterborough paid £275,000 for him in January 2007, he could already be expected to fetch four times that amount now.

And the rest...

Other players to look out for in the future include Wales International central defender Craig Morgan (Peterborough United), flying midfield goal scorer Jason Puncheon (Barnet), and dynamic left footed central midfield player David Perkins (Rochdale).

Last but not least...

Just to prove English lower league football is not all about British players, Sergio Torres (Wycombe Wanderers) is a talented Argentinian who funded his own trip to England in 2004 with the sole aim of becoming a professional here.

After a spell stacking shelves in Boots Chemists, he was spotted playing against Wycombe by former England Assistant manager John Gorman for non-league Basingstoke, and quickly snapped up.

He has already been voted 76th best player outside the Premier League by FourFourTwo magazine and could well become a great Premier League story before long.