JON STEAD has praise ringing in his ears from all quarters, but he was happy to take a back seat at Town's Player of the Year awards.

Fresh from scoring the winner against Manchester United, the 21-year-old was given a rapturous reception by supporters when he was introduced to join the rest of Peter Jackson's squad at the McAlpine event.

Even though a possible England call-up seems on the cards soon, Stead stood at the back of the group and almost out of the sight of guests.

"It's a tribute to the character of the squad that Jonathan can come back, after all the success he has had and the job he did for this club earlier in the season, and stand in the background," said Home FM's Paul Clark.