Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony has been nominated for the Barclay’s Premier League Player of the Month award for April.
The 25-year-old Ivorian netted twice against Aston Villa last weekend while his late penalty secured a much needed win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park earlier in April.
Bony is joined on the short-list by Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling, Jason Puncheon of Crystal Palace and young Sunderland front man Connor Wickham.
All four players have had impressive months, with Bony’s goals guiding Swansea to Premier League safety in recent weeks.
The powerful striker has really found form in the last fortnight or so, proving a key man up front for Garry Monk’s men. Elsewhere, Sterling has been instrumental in firing Liverpool’s title challenge while Puncheon’s goals have guided Palace to mid table safety. Two goals from Wickham helped Sunderland to beat Cardiff City 4-0 last Sunday.
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“You can’t help but look for him when he’s in front of the box and you know you can give him that ball because he’ll do something with it, whether for others or to finish himself,” said Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman on Bony’s influence.
“He’s exactly what we need in a passing side with his strength and the way he holds up the ball so we can play off him. He doesn’t just score, he assists as well and is involved in a big way in our play.
“And he’s unplayable at the moment. He’s been scoring goals and a great help especially in a period where we’ve been trying to get back to some good times. He’s been a big help for us, especially when Michu has had a tough time with injury and it was him getting the goals for us last year.
“Wilf has come in and had no problems adapting. It took a little time at the start but that’s natural and now he has the respect off everyone now, not just in our dressing room.”
While Swansea striker Bony is on the Player of the Month short-list, Tony Pulis, Gus Poyet, Jose Mourinho and Tim Sherwood are the four names up for the Manager of the Month award.