The whistle blew last Saturday to kick off a League One campaign that looks tougher than ever to call.
With no clear favourites and a pack of ambitious clubs all believing they can push for promotion, this could be one of the most competitive seasons in years. In a league where small margins seem to decide games, these are the players who could make the key difference.
Here’s who could decide their team’s fate in a year where every second matters.
Joe Taylor (Huddersfield)
Huddersfield Town’s £3 million signing in January has had a turbulent start at the Accu Stadium and faces a critical campaign to rediscover his scoring touch and secure a starting spot amidst fierce competition from other strikers, including new signing Alfie May, who netted 16 goals in League One for Birmingham City last season. After a lacklustre campaign last term, where Taylor managed just 2 goals in 14 appearances, the 22-year-old will aim to recapture the form that saw him score 22 combined goals for Colchester United and Lincoln City in 2023/24. New manager Lee Grant, tasked with leading Huddersfield’s promotion charge, will rely on Taylor’s pace and finishing in a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 system, especially after the team created 98 big chances in 2024/25, but lacked a consistent finisher. A full pre-season should help Taylor adapt, but he’ll need to outshine competitors such as May and former Bolton striker Dion Charles to claim a regular role. If he can overcome this challenge and approach his 0.68 goals-per-90-minute ratio from 2023/24, Taylor could hit 15+ goals, proving Huddersfield have a top-tier striker and becoming a cornerstone of their ambitions to return to the Championship.
Jamie McDonnell (Mansfield)
The 21-year-old Northern Irish midfielder has joined Mansfield Town on a season-long loan from Nottingham Forest, marking his second consecutive season in the EFL after a standout 2024/25 campaign with Colchester United. At Colchester, McDonnell made 37 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists, while earning a spot in the Sky Bet League Two Team of the Season and Colchester’s Young Player of the Season award for his tenacious displays. His 2.7 tackles per game and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes showcased his aggressive ball-winning ability, which Mansfield manager Nigel Clough believes will address the Stags’ lack of midfield bite from last season. McDonnell, who captained Forest’s U18’s to their first-ever FA Youth Cup final in 2022, chose Mansfield over other League One and Championship clubs, drawn by the club’s “family environment” and the presence of fellow Forest loanees Joe Gardner and Kyle McAdam. With some tipping Mansfield for a play-off push, McDonnell’s versatility to play as a central midfielder or centre-back could see him contribute across different areas of the pitch, making him a key figure in their upcoming campaign.
Mason Burstow (Bolton)
After a frustrating spell at Hull City, where he was often played out of position or left on the bench, 21-year-old striker Mason Burstow is looking to find his feet at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. On loan from Hull, he aims to be a key figure in Bolton Wanderers’ ambition to return to the Championship in the 2025/26 League One season. Under Steven Schumacher’s guidance, Burstow made an immediate impact, scoring his first competitive goal for the club since December in a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle, showing the composure and clinical finishing of his early promise. His physicality, relentless work rate, and growing connection with wingers like Amario Cozier-Duberry and Thierry Gale have quickly won over Bolton fans. Cozier-Duberry’s creativity and Gale’s dynamic pace stretch defences, creating space for Burstow to exploit. As the team’s focal point in attack, Burstow is determined to rediscover his scoring touch and help drive Bolton to promotion while revitalising his own career.
Danny Imray (Blackpool)
Blackpool’s newest right-back, Danny Imray, on loan from Crystal Palace, is tipped to be one of League One’s brightest prospects in 2025/26. Last season at Bromley in League Two, the 21-year-old played 43 matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists, while averaging 1.2 key passes and 2.3 tackles per game. Seen as the natural replacement for Blackpool’s current right-back Daniel Munoz, Imray’s athleticism and attacking contributions fit perfectly into head coach Steve Bruce’s system, which saw Blackpool concede just 39 goals in 2024/25, one of the division’s better defensive records. Bruce has praised Imray’s “real potential” to step up to League One, and with his ability to deliver precise crosses, he could surpass his previous assist tally, potentially reaching near double figures in assists while solidifying Blackpool’s right flank in their push for a potential play-off spot.
Malik Mothersille (Stockport)
Malik Mothersille, now playing for Stockport County after a high-profile move from Peterborough United, is poised to be a goal-scoring threat for the 2025/26 season. Last season, the 23-year-old former Chelsea youth product scored 16 goals and provided 10 assists across all competitions for Peterborough, including 12 league goals and four in their EFL Trophy triumph. His £800,000+ transfer to Stockport smashed the club’s record, signalling their attacking ambitions. Mothersille’s pace, finishing, and ability to link play earned him a spot among League One’s top assist providers, tying with nine assists in the league. With Stockport’s potent attack, he’s a dark horse for the 2025/26 top scorer race at 25/1 odds, making him a must-watch for his potential to elevate his numbers further.
Lewis Wing (Reading)
Reading’s 30-year-old midfield rock remains a pivotal figure for the Royals in the upcoming season, following a campaign where he solidified his reputation as one of the division’s top playmakers. Wing appeared in 42 matches, scoring 9 goals and providing 11 assists. His 2.1 key passes per game and 85.6% pass accuracy highlight his ability to dictate play and create chances, while his work rate off the ball complements Reading’s high-intensity style under manager Noel Hunt. Despite interest from Championship clubs like Sheffield Wednesday in January, Wing has remained with Reading, signing a contract extension until 2027, signalling his commitment to the club’s hopes of a promotion push this season. With Reading finishing just outside the play-offs last season, Wing’s experience and creativity could see him surpass his highest goal involvements, making him a standout in a competitive League One midfield.
Josh Keeley (Luton)
The 22-year-old goalkeeper, signed by Luton Town from Tottenham Hotspur for £1 million in July 2025, is set to make a significant impact in League One following an outstanding loan spell at Leyton Orient last season. During his time with the O’s, Keeley made 45 appearances across all competitions, keeping 16 clean sheets in 36 League One matches, including a club-record seven consecutive clean sheets in December, and boasted a 72.3% save percentage. His heroics, including a 99th-minute equalising goal in an FA Cup tie against Oldham and a crucial penalty save in a shootout against Stockport, earned him Leyton Orient’s Young Player of the Year, Supporters’ Club Merit Award, and Goal of the Season accolades. Luton manager Matt Bloomfield praised Keeley’s “excellent shot-stopping” and ability to “play out from the back and sweep up behind the defence,” qualities that align with Luton’s ambition to secure promotion back to the Championship after back-to-back relegations. Keeley is expected to compete with James Shea for the number-one spot, making him a pivotal figure in Luton’s push for an immediate return to the second tier.
Luke Molyneux (Doncaster)
Doncaster Rovers’ winger Luke Molyneux is someone to keep an eye on in League One this season, as the club makes its return to the third tier for the first time since 2020/21. Last term, he scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists in 55 games across all competitions, playing a massive part in Rovers clinching the League Two title. His speed, flair, and knack for finding the net or setting up teammates make him a proper handful on the right flank. With Doncaster looking to dig in, stay up, and rebuild their status as a solid League One outfit, Molyneux’s first proper season in the division will look to provide spark, excitement and key omens which will be vital to their fight.
Will Fish (Cardiff )
The 22-year-old centre-back, who joined Cardiff City in August 2024, is poised to be a defensive cornerstone for the Bluebirds in their first League One season since 2002/03. Having made 73 appearances across two loan spells at Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, where he scored 2 goals and averaged 1.8 interceptions and 3.2 clearances per game in 2023/24, Fish brings a blend of composure on the ball and aerial dominance.
Despite a challenging Championship season with Cardiff last term, he showed promise with a 71% duel success rate and 2.1 tackles per game. Under new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, Fish is expected to be a first-choice defender in Cardiff’s 4-2-3-1 system, which emphasises build-up play from the back. With Cardiff aiming to bounce back to the Championship, Fish’s experience and potential could see him anchor their defence, contributing to a hopeful Promotion.
Davis Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley)
Barnsley’s prolific striker proved his scoring prowess in last season’s campaign, netting 18 league goals despite the Tykes’ late-season slide down the table. The 27-year-old, who joined Barnsley in the summer of 2024, finished the campaign strongly, bagging five goals in his final eight games, cementing his reputation as a clinical finisher. His goal tally placed him among the league’s elite forwards. With Barnsley likely aiming for a return to the top half of the table, Keillor-Dunn’s form will be pivotal, with new players such as Rayan Cleary and veteran striker David McGoldrick linking up with his former teammate Conor Hourihane, who is in his first full season in charge.
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