RYAN Astley has continued his strides on loan at Accrington Stanley after being named player of the month.

The Llanfair Caereinion raised defender is spending the season on loan at the English League One club from Premier League side Everton.

The Wales U21 international has made seven starts this season to help Stanley to 13th in the table after 10 games.

Astley's performances have endeared him to fans with 38 per cent of the public vote securing him the club's Sanlam Player of the Month award for September.

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At the time of his arrival in the summer the 20 year old said: "I have been at Everton since I was about seven-years-old and have gone up through the youth system, 18s and 23s, and this is my first step into men’s football and I can’t wait to get going.

“I was looking forward to a change of environment, I think I needed that at this time in my career, and the lads are class, they have all welcomed me and it’s been really good.

“First I am a defender, I like to keep a clean sheet, but I can play a bit so don’t mind playing long balls and balls into midfield but my main job is to keep clean sheets and get the three points.