Ireland striker Sammie Szmodics nominated for PFA Championship award

Ireland striker Sammie Szmodics has been shortlisted for the Professional Footballers' Association Championship Player of the Year award.

The Blackburn Rovers forward won the 2023-24 golden boot, netting 27 goals to help his side avoid relegation to League One.

The 28-year-old made his Ireland debut last March in a 0-0 draw with Belgium at the Aviva Stadium.

Chelsea new boy Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is also on the six-man shortlist.

Midfielder Dewsbury-Hall, 25, struck 12 goals and registered 14 assists to help Leicester win the Championship title last season and bounce straight back to the Premier League, before he completed a move to west London last month.

Ipswich’s Leif Davis and Adam Armstrong of Southampton join Szmodics and Dewsbury-Hall as nominees, along with Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter who were key members of the Leeds squad which fell just short of promotion.

Davis set up 18 goals as Ipswich secured the second automatic promotion spot, while Armstrong netted the only goal in the play-off final for Southampton against Leeds.

The 27-year-old struck 24 league and play-off goals for Saints last season, a tally which left him second only to Szmodics in the Championship scoring charts.

Summerville enjoyed a stellar season for Leeds, hitting 21 in all competitions for the Elland Road club before moving to West Ham earlier this month.

His fellow Dutchman Rutter is also on the shortlist. He contributed 15 assists for Leeds last season.

The winner will be announced at the PFA’s player of the year awards ceremony in Manchester on 20 August.