Looking for a bargain?

Players from the big clubs continue to lead the way in points, but if you want to be able to afford the likes of Francesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba or Fernando Torres then you also need to bring in some cheaper stars. Our regular look at the value for money players picks out the current crop of bargains.

This squad alone would not get you up to the top of the table, but without some of these hidden gems it would be impossible to challenge.

GOALKEEPERS

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Thomas Sorensen: 7.38 points per million

Despite Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given moving to the top of the points table following his penalty save and clean sheet at Birmingham, he only ranks fourth in terms of value for money.

Even though he has not kept a clean sheet since gameweek four (he missed the 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur), Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen currently provides the best value for money. The fact that the Dane only has three clean sheets to his name all season further shows how below par defensive players have been.

There is still a second stopper in the squad, that being Birmingham City's Joe Hart - despite the Man City loanee being ineligible to play in the 0-0 draw against his former club which would have placed him above Sorensen.

DEFENDERS

The best value for money player in the game comes in defence, and it is the exploits of Burnley defender Graham Alexander in the weekend win over Hull City which pushes him to the top.

Although only ninth in terms of points, those 35 points have come at a cost of 7.78 points per million. Alexander has three clean sheets and three goals so far. He is Burnley's penalty taker - he scored one from the spot and one from open play against Hull - which is always important when selecting players. However, Burnley's horrific away form means he is a player you could only count on for half of the season.

The goalscoring theme continues throughout the list of defenders. Aston Villa's James Collins and Richard Dunne as well as Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen have found the back of the net on many occasions already this season.

Arsenal still have a series of encouraging fixtures to come, with only Chelsea from the top teams in the next five games. And with Vermaelen now also being introduced into free-kick routines it seems sure he will continue the form which has put him clear in the scoring charts.

Villa also have favourable fixtures, playing only one side from the top nine in the next five games.

The other two defenders to make the value squad are Abdoulaye Faye of Stoke City and Jody Craddock of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Don't go bringing in Craddock, however, as his two goals at the weekend doubled his career tally in the Premier League.

MIDFIELDERS

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Andy Reid: Long-term value?

There's a surprise name at the top of this list, who is also the fourth best value for money player in the game. Robbie Blake is the second Burnley player in the squad, priced at £5.0 million, largely thanks to two goals and an assist. Much like Alexander, Burnley's away form does make him a difficult selection.

If the appearance of Blake is a surprise, then Lee Bowyer is a shock. It's been years since Bowyer has been a fantasy great, way back in his days with Leeds, but with a lowly value of £4.5 million he is proving a fine leftfield option. Bowyer has only scored 33 points, and it is difficult to see him being a good long-term buy.

Far more promising could be Andy Reid of Sunderland. The Black Cats have started the season well and with Reid taking the set-pieces and providing good ammunition for Darren Bent, at just £5.0 million he is one of the best options for a return across the season as opposed to a player who has had a purple patch at the start.

This column has already dealt with the red herring that is Bolton Wanderers' Tamir Cohen. After going on a run of goals and assists he's done nothing in the last three matches. Don't get drawn in for a quick fix on a player like Cohen, seldom do players with no real scoring history prove to be good investments in the long run.

Completing the midfield is another Stoke City player, with Matthew Etherington's goal against Wolves just getting him into the squad. He'd be another waste of fantasy cash.

STRIKERS

Strikers in general are struggling for value for money this season; Sunderland's Darren Bent is the only player to be a bargain up front. Bent, with nine goals this season, is the second best value for money player behind Alexander. At just £7.7 million, Bent is a steal and is sure to continue shooting up in value over the next few months. It's vital that you have Bent in your team if you want to be successful this season.

Climbing up to be only the second striker in the squad is Wigan's Hugo Rodallega, who at 6.72 points per million provides the worst value of the 15-man squad. However, consider you must have two strikers in your squad and that Rodallega is just £6.1 million - for the moment - he still looks to be a viable option for the season to create space elsewhere.