Winger collects December prize
Gareth Evans has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for December.
The winger saw off competition from Oxford’s John Lundstram, Wycombe’s Jason McCarthy and Bristol Rovers’ Matty Taylor to collect the prize.
He was chosen after scoring three goals last month, finding the target in successive matches against Hartlepool, Northampton and Leyton Orient.
Evans said: “I’m delighted to win this award and hopefully I can build on my good December form as we look to have a successful second half of the season.
“It might be me picking up the trophy, but plenty of credit must go to my team-mates and I’d like to thank our fans for their fantastic support.”
Blues boss Paul Cook added: “I’m delighted for Gareth and it’s a fitting reward for his performances during the last month.
“He’s a key part of the squad we’ve put together here and really is playing well at the minute.
“But so are the team as a collective and this award is as much a credit to them as it is him.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “December was a brilliant month for Evans and for Pompey.
“Their front three of Evans, Caolan Lavery and Marc McNulty have been firing on all cylinders of late and are as good as anyone in the league on their day.”
Sky Bet football trading manager Paul Lowery commented: “Since their drop into League Two, Pompey have been perennial favourites to lift the title and have struggled, especially early on in the season.
“However, this year they have given themselves a fighting chance at the halfway stage and Gareth has been integral to that success, especially during a fine month in December.”