Van Hecke up for Premier League Player of the Month

Tottenham defender Jan Paul van Hecke has been shortlisted for the Premier League Player of the Month award for October.

The club said the centre-back was instrumental in an unbeaten month that included one draw and three straight wins. He contributed to two clean sheets and scored his second goal for Tottenham.

Van Hecke joined from Brighton in the summer and reunited with head coach Roberto De Zerbi. He started every league match of the month, beginning with a 1-1 away draw at Manchester United on 10 October.

He partnered Marcos Senesi in a back three for the 3-1 home win over Coventry City, Tottenham's first three points of the season. The Dutch international then played alongside compatriot Micky van de Ven in the 2-0 victory at Chelsea, a result that included a Mike Penders own goal from a corner Van Hecke contested. It was only Tottenham's second Premier League win at Stamford Bridge in the competition's history.

The 26-year-old closed the month with the Player of the Match award in the 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace, heading in the second goal. He completed a club-record 143 passes in that match, and no other Premier League player attempted or completed more passes than him in October.

Fans can vote for Van Hecke before 12 noon on Monday 9 November. He faces Evanilson, Nicolas Jackson, Ezri Konsa, Declan Rice, Jack Rudoni, Bart Verbruggen and Luka Vuskovic for the award.