Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa deserves the recognition for his displays this season, manager Nigel Pearson has said.
Ulloa has scored five goals so far this season and has been nominated for the Barclays Premier League player of the month award.
The Argentine striker was selected after he scored the winner at Stoke and grabbed a double in the stunning 5-3 victory over Manchester United at the King Power Stadium. Ulloa is up against United's Angel Di Maria, West Ham's Diafra Sakho, Southampton's Graziano Pelle and Morgan Schneiderlin, and Palace's Mile Jedinak, with the winner announced this morning.
Pearson, who has been nominated for the manager of the month award along with Palace boss Neil Warnock, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Southampton boss Ronald Koeman, said Ulloa's impact had been significant.
"As a player and the style of player he is, he has given us something we didn't have," said Pearson.
"He complements what we already have, which is important, and the fact he has got off to the start he has in terms of a goals return is a huge plus for us.
"You have to score enough goals whatever division you are in and it is always going to be tough to create and then convert enough chances in the Premier League.
"I am very pleased for him and I have been very impressed with his work ethic and his ability to sustain a high level of performance both physically and technically."
Pearson was quick to stress that individual recognition was only due to his side's performances as a whole.
"It helps that, for the most part, our team performances have been positive," he said.
"If the team is playing well and functions well as a team, it gives you a better chance of minimising the shortfalls you have, which goes for any team.
"It also allows players with the added dimension of being exceptionally talented a better opportunity for those skills to shine."
