Ballard receives PL2 Player of the Month nomination

The 17-year-old has been quick off the mark in 2022/23, netting four goals in the opening four matches of the campaign, grabbing braces against both Nottingham Forest and West Brom.

Continuing his electric form from last season, the teenager was also rewarded with a senior debut in August, making his mark in style by scoring off the bench in Saints’ 3-0 win at Cambridge in the Carabao Cup.

Completing the shortlist are Thomas Cannon (Everton), Mateo Fernandez, Sonny Perkins (both Leeds), Abu Kamara (Norwich), Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester), Oliver O’Neill (Fulham) and Max Thompson (Sunderland).