There's a warm glow around a few Irish strikers at the top level for a change.

Last year there were two Irish names in the top 12 goalscorers list in the Premiership; looking to keep them there brings different hurdles to mount. Robbie Keane had his usual twomonth burst where he looked a top-notch big-club striker to end with 11 league goals (plus 10 in FA/UEFA cups) and in fairness, his hit-rate of 14/14/12/16/11 over the last five seasons puts him bang up at the top of the second tier of strikers. But Martin Jol has hardly spent nearly �17m to leave Darren Bent on the bench, Dimitar Berbatov made himself an untouchable last year so this could be as genuine a threat as Keane has faced. If we're talking somewhere around 15 league goals next May, he'll have done exceptionally.

Kevin Doyle more than lived up to the hype with 13 goals last time and if defences in general will be a tad more aware of the lad from Wexford, well we're not sure Doyle himself will be all that pushed by the extra attention. Steve Coppell and gang keeping the chances flowing might be the clincher on whether it's a struggle to double figures or a push over the 15-mark but a few days causing problems and maybe sneaking a goal or two at the Anfields and Old Traffords wouldn't do any harm. A healthy battle to be Ireland's numero uno goalscorer looks on the cards.

And there are the few at Sunderland to add to the mix.

Daryl Murphy looked as sharp as anyone on the US tour back in May and could put in some decent performances even if he doesn't net too often. It could well be a signposting year in the development of Anthony Stokes.

He's too young for it to be make or break and gametime may be limited but there'll be chances to lay down a marker as to which way he's heading. Ditto for Shane Long at Reading. Wishing for three Irish strikers to reach double figures seems a step too far but three playing well weekin week-out in the top league might not be and it should be a fun season for those who spent their Saturdays looking for the green lettering on Aertel.

Faces to watch elsewhere?

Steven Reid started as firstchoice centre midfield for Ireland in Stuttgart last September but didn't start another game all season, which effectively negated all the goodness from his career best 05/06. A run of games and a speedy return to form would be handy. Stephen Ireland's been flittering around impressively enough but still started less than half of Man City's games last season and his immediate future is dependent on whether he gets swept along on the Svenalution or gets left behind. If Eriksson takes a fancy to Ireland's ballplaying and gives him a fair go, he'll have plenty attacking targets to find for once.

We'll know if more recent recruits are in it for the long haul after extended viewing.

Paul McShane will come on as a defender by facing the cleverer and plain speedier movements of the top teams every game rather than the odd exposure at international level and remember, he spent most of last season at right-back for West Brom.

It's a tough ask for Stephen Hunt to mirror last year's form but he'll have a cut at it and is probably Ireland's first choice left winger with Damien Duff on the sidelines for a few months at least. He'll do well to avoid that tricky second-season malarkey, especially with Bobby Convey putting the pressure on at Reading.

Let's not forget others with points to prove. Liam Miller is getting a second pop at being a midfielder at the highest level. Joey O'Brien didn't play a single game last season for Bolton and will need a break to nail down a spot in his favoured midfield or even to fill in at right-back. Colin Doyle could mark himself down as successor to Shay Given with a solid season in goal at Birmingham. More than enough reasons to be tuning into the highlights programmes of a Saturday evening then.