The first young star that looks set to hit the heights of the top flight is Cambridge United striker Zema Abbey. The 23 year old has hardly set the football world on fire, that is until this season. The speedy striker has eased the loss of Trevor Benjamin to Leicester with a blistering start to the campaign.

Zema joined Cambridge in February 2000 from Non-League side Hitchin Town for a nominal fee. The 6ft 1in striker arrived in football rather late after deciding to do his A-Levels and complete a degree in sports science and leisure management. Abbey is a strong and forceful striker who likes to run at defences, and has been one of the main reasons for Cambridge's good start to the season.

Abbey is still only really learning his trade at the professional level but it won't be long before Premiership clubs come knocking on Cambridge United's door.

Bobby Zamora is not yet a household name, but if his current form is anything to go by - he soon will be.

The 19-year-old Brighton marksman who is originally from London has netted 7 goals already this season. Zamora joined Albion in the summer from Bristol Rovers after a successful loan spell for £100,000. The large fee Brighton paid is now looking to be one of the bargains of the season, as the quick striker terrorises defences throughout the Third Division.

Zamora is yet another example of a top quality English forward in the Nationwide League, which can only be good news for the future of our game as a whole.

A Nigerian playing for Macclesfield in the Third Division - Oh how times are changing. Having said this, the Nigerian at the Moss Rose Ground is destined to achieve greatness on a higher plane.

George Abbey, who played for Port Harcourt in his home country, arrived at Macclesfield after impressing in a trial during the summer. Premiership club Charlton also showed an interest in the right back, but Abbey decided Peter Davenport's side were the club for him.

So far this season it would seem that George has made the right decision after greatly impressing in all of his appearances in a Maccs shirt. Already there are scours of clubs coming to watch his every move, and so it won't be long until we see this young Nigerian pitting his talents against the best.

Clive Platt is another young starlet who has the potential fulfil his talent at the highest level.

'Plattini' as the Rochdale fans affectionately refer him to is a rangy striker who is also catching the attention of many with the six goals he has scored this season.

A £100, 000 signing from Walsall in September 1999, Platt has gone on to build a reputation as one of the most highly rated strikers in the lower leagues. So much so that Manchester City are one of a number of clubs who have taken an interest in the striker.