Six EFL stars who can inspire FA Cup third round upsets

EFL players will sense an opportunity to make a name for themselves as the FA Cup third round weekend beckons.

The Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle stands out, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United also face lower-league opposition.

We look at the stars who could inspire a famous upset over the next few days.

Jack Clarke (Sunderland) vs Newcastle

Jack Clarke is a Premier League player in waiting, having flourished for Sunderland after an unsuccessful period at Tottenham.

He has completed many more dribbles than anybody else in the Championship this season, while only three players have scored more goals.

The winger is the Mackems' talisman and their best chance of securing a famous win over Newcastle on Saturday. 

Liam Millar (Preston) vs Chelsea

Liam Millar is Preston's best player and gives them a shot at beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The left-sided attacker, who often plays as a wing-back, is similar to Clarke in that he likes to confuse full-backs with his dribbling before firing off shots.

He will aim to use his speed and directness on the counter-attack, which is the Lancashire outfit's best route to victory. 

Isaiah Jones (Middlesbrough) vs Aston Villa

A major part of Middlesbrough's giant-killings against Manchester United and Tottenham in the 2021-22 season, Isaiah Jones will be keen on more when Boro take on Aston Villa.

The right-sided attacker has pace to burn but combines it with creativity, ranking top for dribbles and fifth for key passes in Michael Carrick's squad.

With Villa's left-back — either Lucas Digne or Alex Moreno — used in an ultra-attacking way, Jones is a candidate to exploit the space in behind.

Karamoko Dembele (Blackpool) vs Nottingham Forest

You may remember viral footage of Karamoko Dembele playing for Celtic Under-20s at 13 years of age.

Seven years on, he became the Scottish side's third-youngest senior player and now stars for English third-tier side Blackpool.

The England youth international ranks inside the top 11 for key passes and dribbles in League One and will be aiming to breach the Nottingham Forest backline from his attacking midfield position on Sunday.

Sorba Thomas (Huddersfield) vs Manchester City

Only four Championship teams have scored fewer goals than Huddersfield this season but Sorba Thomas has still managed more assists than all but 11 players.

He has teed up five of Town's 26 league goals and his industry and quality will be vital to any hopes of causing a major shock at Manchester City.

That is particularly true of his set-pieces, which will need to be on point at the Etihad.

Thelo Aasgaard (Wigan) vs Manchester United

A supremely gifted player, Thelo Aasgaard should see this game against Manchester United as a chance to showcase himself.

The 21-year-old has just returned from injury but is Wigan's creative outlet in midfield, catching the eye with his dribbling and shooting from distance.

He is the type of easy-on-the-eye player who could grab the headlines in what looks like a feasible third-round shock.