It looks like it will be a two-horse race for Ipswich Town’s ‘Player of the Year’ in 2016/17.

Will goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski sweep the board at the end of season awards for the second year running following another outstanding campaign? Or will it be Leicester City loanee Tom Lawrence? The Welsh forward is the team’s top-scorer with 11 goals and has provided the few moments of attacking magic in a forgettable few months.

Polish custodian Bialkowski added to ever-growing collection of wonder saves with a breathtaking double stop in Tuesday night’s 3-0 home win over Wigan. Lawrence could return to the team at Fulham today after missing the last four matches with a groin injury.

• Cast your POTY vote here.“Bart has been outstanding,” enthused Blues boss Mick McCarthy, who has repeatedly said he feels Bialkowski is the best keeper in the Championship. “Some of the games we’ve drawn we probably should have won – Reading and Leeds here, Brighton away even – but equally we could have lost some games had it not been for Bart. Maybe we are where we are and deserve the points we’ve got.”

Blues defender Jordan Spence said: “Bart’s not bad is he?! I wouldn’t mind seeing him have a day where he had to stand and twiddle his thumbs though! He’s been magnificent and I think we are blessed in having two good goalkeepers. I played with Dean (Gerken) at Bristol City and I know how good he is as well.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Town's Tom Lawrence (centre)Ipswich Town's Tom Lawrence (centre) (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Bialkowski has revealed that several clubs were interested in signing him during the January transfer window, but that Town told potential suitors he wasn’t for sale. The 29-year-old says he has Premier League ambitions, but that his family is settled in Suffolk and he would be happy to stay at Portman Road. He is effectively contracted until 2019.

Tickets to the Supporters Club’s Player Awards Evening, which takes place following the final home game of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, April 29, cost £23 each and are available from Elizabeth Edwards. E-mail: officialitsc@btinternet.com. Phone: 07968 876504. They can also be purchased in the FanZone before home games and Legends Bar afterwards.

East Anglian Daily Times: Bartosz BialkowskiBartosz Bialkowski (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)