Many Sunderland fans have been waxing lyrical about Josh Hawkes after he scored once again for the club's under-23 side.

The Black Cats youngsters were in action against Reading on Monday, with Hawkes selected in the starting line-up. It didn't take him long to have an impact on the match, first providing the assist for Dan Neil to score the opener before putting Sunderland back in front before 20 minutes were even on the clock.

Hawkes has been in stunning form in Premier League 2, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists in 18 matches in the competition (Transfermarkt). The result means the Wearside outfit are up to sixth place in Group Two with two matches remaining (FlashScore) - promotion to Group One is not out of the equation.

Sunderland's official Twitter account provided updates of the match, and many of the club's fans were delighted with Hawkes' crucial involvements. One called for him to be partnered with the prolific Charlie Wyke in Lee Johnson's first team, while another dubbed him a "lower league Lampard" in reference to the former Chelsea maestro, who also had a reputation for scoring regularly from midfield.

These Black Cats fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the 22-year-old.

Let's see what the fans had to say about Hawkes below

"Lower League Lampard."

Credit: @RoGairReport

"Get him in the first team"

Credit: @PazzaSAFC

"He’s on another level @LeeJohnsonCoach get him in the first team."

Credit: @bamgboyeolu

"Stick him beside Wyke I beg"

Credit: @MannixKnows

"This guy is on another level. Get him in first team"

Credit: @JoeMcNa36001719

"Surely has to be in the first team banging them in every week"

Credit: @JaiOliver5

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