Healey's award nomination is fully deserved

After scoring six goals last month, it might not be a huge surprise to see Rhys Healey amongst the nominees for Player of the Month for February, but it is a nomination richly deserved according to Russell Martin.

Healey goes head-to-head with Oxford's Matty Taylor, Portsmouth defender Richard Burgess and Rotherham striker Freddie Ladapo for the prize, with the winner revealed on Friday morning.

Speaking about Healey's nomination, Russell Martin said: "Deservedly so, he has been excellent for us since he took over. He has improved his all-round game, his work-rate and his goals have been tremendous. He shows the quality he has when we get him in the right areas. He told me he was disappointed not to have more goals.

"I'm really pleased for him, whether he wins it or not. It's recognition for what we're doing as a group, and I;m sure he;ll be the first one to thank his team-mates for helping him get that nomination.

"Fingers crossed he can win it, but if not no problem. It's a good sign of where we're going and what we're doing that in the position we're in that we're getting someone nominated for the award."

Netting five goals in six games, Healey scored some memorable goals in February, but Martin had a favourite of the bunch.

He said: "There were some of real quality in there – the free kick showed a lot of individual quality, but the Rotherham one was a brilliant strike, that's my favourite. The patience, calmness and composure he has. When it falls to him in those positions, more often than not, he put it in the back of the net.

"He scores most weeks, and appreciates the structure he's given and the demands on him. He's a huge part of what we're doing, not just on a Saturday but every day in training. He has been a massive player."