Watkins to follow in footsteps of Bale, Clyne and Alli
Ollie Watkins could be following in the footsteps of Gareth Bale, Nathaniel Clyne and Dele Alli after being shortlisted for the EFL Young Player of the Year award.
Watkins, who has 14 goals and 12 assists to his name this season in 41 games, has already picked up two accolades this year including the League Two player of the month for January and the Football League Young Player of the month for March 2016.
However, if he were to pick up the Young Player of the Year at the EFL 2017 awards he would join an illustrious list of previous winners that includes Bale, Clyne and Alli.
He is up against some strong competition for the accolade – which takes into consideration performances from the 2016/17 season – with Reading’s John Swift and Oxford United’s Ryan Ledson also in the running.
Swift has made 32 to appearances for the Royals this season, scoring eight goals, while Ledson has played 28 times for Oxford this campaign.
The annual awards take place in London on Sunday, April 9.