Our latest feature in an occasional new series in which we catch up with the happenings of professional footballers from Warrington, focusing again on Nathan Lowe…

NATHAN Lowe is being tipped to end the season as Sky Bet League Two’s top goal scorer.

This is after the former Lymm High School student was named the division’s player of the month for December.

The 19-year-old Stoke City striker is on loan at Walsall this season and the forward’s 11th, 12th and 13th league goals of the campaign over the festive period left his team 12 points clear at the summit of League Two as 2024 ended.

He took his season’s total to 17 goals in all competitions when he scored the winner in a 2-1 success at second-placed Notts County on New Year’s Day, when the Saddlers were last in action.

However, the Potters have a recall option on Lowe this month and it is unclear yet whether new Stoke City boss Mark Robins will bring him back into their fold to aid the struggling Championship side.

The league’s announcement of Lowe’s award win refers to him ‘gaining experience all the time, keeps on improving, sniffing out the right place to be’ while scoring five and assisting one of Walsall’s 11 goals in December.

Three of his goals opened the scoring, too, and the announcement points out ‘the calmness with which he finishes is just a natural gift.’

Lowe said: “I’m really happy. It’s a great achievement and I’m appreciative that they have selected me from the shortlist and even to be put on the shortlist.

“I’m delighted and happy that I could help the team, it’s been a great month for all of us and I’m sure they could have picked any Walsall player but I’m fortunate that it’s me.”

Alongside him on the shortlist were Salford City full-back Luke Garbutt, Colchester United full-back Ellis Iandolo and Bromley central defender Omar Sowunmi.

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It was difficult to look past a Walsall player for the award as they continue to set the pace in League Two, and Nathan Lowe was the stand-out performer in December.

“The inform striker looks favourite for the League Two Golden Boot and added five more to his total last month.

“He is instinctive in the box and has a calmness in front of goal that could prove key to his side winning the title.”

Lowe’s strike rate since joining Walsall has caught a few by surprise.

Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Nathan Lowe has been in sensational form for Walsall during the final month of the year.

“This run has cemented his status as the 5/2 favourite to finish the season as League Two’s top marksman.

“Remarkably, Lowe wasn’t even in the betting before the season began. We introduced him into the market at 33/1 at the start of September and his rise has been very impressive.”

Lowe’s immediate future was unclear leading up to January, but that did not stop him from focusing on doing what he does best for whoever he is playing for – and that is scoring goals!

He netted in a 2-0 win against promotion rivals Doncaster on Boxing Day and scored both in the 2-0 success against Newport County three days later, helping the Saddlers to an unbeaten 13-game sequence.

That became seven wins on the bounce with his winner on New Year’s Day at Notts County.

Lowe’s parent club Stoke, who are struggling in the Championship, have a recall option on him in January but Walsall hope to keep him for now.

The ex-Warrington Schoolboys representative joined the Saddlers on loan last August, having gained valuable senior Championship experience under his belt.

He has played 14 times in the second tier – and 17 times in all competitions – for the Potters.

His senior debut came aged 17 in February, 2023, and he scored his first professional goal, aged 18, in September, 2023, with a dramatic 89th minute winner as Stoke came from 2-0 down to win at Bristol City.

Lowe arrived at Walsall having also been prolific in Stoke’s under 21s and under 18s teams.

He bagged eight goals for their under 21s in Premier League 2, including a hat-trick against Manchester City’s under 21s.

Lowe also netted 12 goals in 18 appearances in the under 18s Premier League.

His form for Stoke led to him earning a call-up to the England under 19s squad and he has three caps to his name, with his international debut coming against Montenegro in October, 2023.

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