Watford striker Matej Vydra has been named the Football League Player of the Year for 2013 at the association's annual awards ceremony tonight.

Vydra has scored 20 times this season to help Watford launch an unlikely automatic promotion bid under Gianfranco Zola.

The 20-year-old was unable to collect the award due to international duty with the Czech Republic, with his manager Zola accepting the prize on his behalf.

Zola admitted at the awards ceremony in London that the young starlet has surpassed his expectations with a series of composed displays.

He said: "I knew he had potential but what he was done this year is quite incredible.

"I think he is keen to stay, he likes why he is doing over here and it is good for his development."

Vydra pipped Blackpool winger Thomas Ince and Crystal Palace duo Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray to the award.