Watford boss Gianfranco Zola said Matej Vydra "has done incredible things" for the Hornets this season and believes the striker deserves the Championship Player of the Year award he received last night.

Vydra beat Blackpool's Thomas Ince and Crystal Palace's Glenn Murray to land the award having netted 20 goals this campaign, including 11 goals in six league starts during a period in December and January.

The Golden Boys' head coach Zola collected the prize on behalf of the 20-year-old, who is away on international duty with the Czech Republic.

"He deserves it, he has done incredible things for us and I am pleased and proud to collect the award on his behalf," Zola said.

"Since he came to the club he has shown very good qualities.

"He was on the bench for a while, but he stayed patient and as soon as he got the opportunity he started to score goals and he hasn’t stopped."

Other notable winners on the night included Blackpool’s Ince, who walked away with the Young Player of the Year award, for which Vydra was also nominated.

Chairman of The Football League Greg Clarke said: "The Football League Awards 2013 has given us another opportunity to celebrate success at League clubs both on and off the pitch. 

"It gives us the chance to reward those who have achieved fantastic results throughout the year. I would like to congratulate tonight’s winners and all those who were nominated."