Nicholas Alexander Blackman, 26, born in Salford, England, but started his youth career at Macclesfield Town in 2005, is a 6 ft 2 centre forward who currently plays for Reading; he can also play as a winger.

Blackman started his career at Macclesfield Town before moving to Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in 2009. After three years at Blackburn he was sold to Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.

After scoring 11 goals in only six months at Sheffield United, he signed a contract with Reading - who were in the Premier League at that point.

He has also spent time on loan at Blackpool, Oldham Athletic, Motherwell and Aberdeen.

The forward is eligible to represent England, Barbados, the Netherlands or Poland at international level, despite never making an international appearance.

Here, FLW's Jack Smillie gives FIVE reasons why Blackman should be granted another chance to play in England's top division.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE REASONS!

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He's ripping apart the Championship

So far this season, Nick Blackman has scored 9 goals from 17 league games, which averages to just over a goal every two games!

Only Andre Gray of Burnley can beat Blackman's feat, as Gray has grabbed 11 goals so far this campaign.

Surely, if Blackman is proving his worth and playing to the top of his game in the Championship, then in my opinion, that's worthy of the Premier League. Blackman's in better form than some of the strikers near the bottom of the Premier League...

It would be nice for him to be given the chance

How do we know that Blackman wouldn't do an Austin or a Vardy and go on to become one of England's finest strikers? Now that he is 26, so nearing his footballing peak, Blackman should be given the time to prove is ability.

Any time around now would be optimal for the Salford-born striker.

Furthermore, Premier League teams seem to be purchasing players from overseas, which, in turn, leads to some English players becoming shunned.

I'm sure you're aware of English players who have found success in the Premier League, so it isn't like that this is a rarity. I'd say that Blackman deserves the chance.

Out of the 14 players who have scored 5 or more goals in this year's Premier League season, only three of them are English: 1st, Vardy, 12 goals; =3rd, Harry Kane, 6 goals; =4th, Callum Wilson, 5 goals (long-term injury). There's hardly an abundance of English strikers right now...

Previous Premier League experience

Blackman played in the Premier League while he was at Blackburn, but only played once in three years, furthermore, he failed to score.

However, in 2009, Blackman would have been only 21. He would have still been finding his way in the world of football.

Additionally, when Blackman signed for Reading in 2013, aged just 24, they were in the Premier League. But at that age, in my opinion, he wasn't ready for the Premier League.

Albeit, I reckon he's ready now. Previously, Blackman's Premier League career was cut short - and the fault wasn't even his, entirely.

With Reading in 8th place with 24 points from 16 games, they have scored the joint-4th most amount of goals. If Blackman can keep firing, then Reading should be able to reach a play-off place.

If Blackman has fought hard for his team and self-handedly fired them into a play-off spot, then he definitely deserves a chance at the big stage. Of course, others have contributed to Reading's efforts this year, it was;t just him, but Blackman has played a huge part.

Characteristics

We all know that the best players in the world know how to draw fouls. Especially Cesc Fabregas; he's very good at winning fouls. Nevertheless, one of Blackman's many strengths is that he can win fouls for his team as he holds up play, or to gain an advantage for his side.

Furthermore, Blackman is incredibly good in the air. His towering frame, his athletic jumping ability plus his heading ability makes the man lethal in aerial duels. Not only for attacking purposes, but defensive, when required, too.

For a tall man, his dribbling ability is quite good too. The best dribblers in the world often tend to be small, agile players, such as Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Although, Blackman's dribbling his one of his main strengths.

Known to cut inside, and shoot possibly, Blackman's attractive style of play could combine handy if he is ever given the chance in the Premier League.

Of course, Blackman will be working on these skills in order for him to become an even more lethal finisher.

I believe that Blackman's characteristics mean he should be given the chance. Passion, determination and  good teamwork will also help out the Reading striker. Finally, Blackman is very good during counter-attacks. His pace when getting forward quickly is impressive, and would suit a smaller team's style of play, as they look to keep men behind the ball and get forwards quickly.

For that, I see Blackman as a well-rounded player, who definitely has the ability and correct mind-set to play in the Premier League.

Premier League clubs

As ever, Premier League clubs will do all they can to avoid the drop, push upwards, and even strive for a top-half finish. Unless, of course, they're already a club that finishes in the top-7ish regularly, so lets not worry about those clubs for a minute.

Lets say, that disaster strikes for Reading fans, and Reading do not gain promotion this season. Sorry, but remember this is hypothetically-speaking at the moment. Would Nick Blackman want to stay? What if a Premier League club came calling, armed with a lot of cash?

If Blackman wants to leave, he would find a way. Where there's a will, there's a way. Potentially, he could stay another year or two, but be realistic and realise that he wouldn't turn down the chance to join a Premier League club for many years in a row. Especially while Blackman is at his peak.

As The Secret Footballer once revealed, the general consensus amongst the players in his team's dressing room in the season where they narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League, is that the money available in the Premier League was too important and would easily sway their decision of leaving a football club.

Or even, would Reading reject offers from other clubs? It could all come down to the finances, governed by the owners, chairman and other board members. But then, if Steve Clark joins Fulham, Reading could be massively changed, if the new manager wants to implement his routine.

Maybe Blackman's not like that? But if Nick Blackman wants to play in England's top division, then he definitely should be given the chance.

Reading fans, how do you rate Nick Blackman? Let me know in the comments!