The promotions of Cardiff City, Hull City and Crystal Palace mean that a sizeable number of Irish players will be plying their trade in the Premier League next season.

But with greater exposure some could edge closer to call ups for the Ireland squad.

Joe Mason

The 22-year-old forward scored six goals and made two assists in 28 appearances to help Cardiff City to the Championship title, although only 12 of those were starts.

But Bluebirds manager Malkay Mackay has indicated that he does not want to send Mason out on loan as he sees a bright future for the English-born Ireland U21 international.

That faith is reflected in his contract which runs until 2016. He has just completed a second season at Cardiff, with his debut campaign particularly impressive scoring 12 goals in all competitions including a goal in the agonising League Cup final defeat to Liverpool last season. A bright future beckons.

Owen Garvan

The 25-year-old midfielder was also an U21 international. But he is not on the senior radar apart from his inclusion in Giovanni Trapattoni’s first squad. However he is a key man at club level for Crystal Palace.

Garvan, who scored four goals and made six assists in 27 matches this season despite being out injured from December to April, signed a two-year deal to tie his future to the club.

His greatest assets are his passing, vision and reading the game which makes up for his lack of pace.

Damien Delaney

Unlike Palace team-mate Garvan, the centre-back has had opportunities in the Ireland squad. Capped five times, the 31-year-old is also in the current squad for the friendlies and qualifiers.

Ironically Delaney was clubless after he left Ipswich by mutual consent last summer before Palace stepped in to secure his services in August.

But he has been a revelation for the Eagles, enjoying an impressive run of form at the back.    

David Meyler

The former Cork City midfielder gave a revealing interview on Off The Ball last week, but a run in the Premier League has been a long time coming for the 23-year-old.

Two successive cruciate knee injuries could have broken a lesser man, but that has not stopped the Hull City midfielder from earning a spot in the Ireland squad.

He may have been an unused sub against England, but he is sure to add to his third cap in the next three matches.

Meyler made 28 appearances for the Tigers this season, scoring five times and setting up a further three.

Robbie Brady

The Hull winger is the most established international among the players on this list. It has been a meteoric rise for the 21-year-old who has benefited from a regular starting spot after signing for Hull on a permanent basis from Manchester United.

In the Championship this year, he has scored four times and picked up a further 13 assists in 32 matches. Unfortunately he has had to pull out of the current squad through injury.

Main image: Joe Mason ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy