19-year-old midfielder helped Everton close in on Division 1 title with February wins over Saints and Arsenal

Everton's Liam Walsh has been named the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for February.

"I'm very happy," the 19-year-old midfielder said after receiving the award. "I've been pushing for the first team and the only way I can do that is by playing [in Premier League 2]."

🏆 | Congratulations to @liamwalsh_6, who has been named as the #PL2 Player of the Month for February! #EFCU23 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/d43vc6HD7b — Everton (@Everton) March 10, 2017

Walsh helped Everton take a step towards the PL2 Division 1 title, playing in wins over Arsenal and Southampton as David Unsworth's side maintained their lead over Manchester City.

In the 2-0 win over Southampton he scored the opening goal at Goodison Park.

Walsh was selected by a panel of the Premier League Football Development from a shortlist generated by a poll of all the PL2 managers, who nominated the best individual performance from their opponents throughout the month.

He beat Derby County's Mason Bennett, West Ham United's Nathan Holland, Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Donavan Wilson and Brahim Diaz, of Manchester City, to the prize.

2016/17 PL2 Players of the Month

February Liam Walsh (Everton)

January Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City)

December Jonathan Leko (West Brom)

November Josh Sims (Southampton)

October Paolo Fernandes (Man City)

September Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Aston Villa)

August Ethan Robson (Sunderland)