Thomas Frank has compared his red-hot striker Ollie Watkins to five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Watkins moved to 11 league goals for the season with the only goal of the game when he headed home to give Frank’s side a 1-0 victory over Reading on Saturday.

Three points moved the Bees up into eighth and two points shy of the play-off positions ahead of the upcoming mid-week fixtures.

But if Frank’s 23-year-old striker has the potential to become anything like the former Manchester United and current Juventus forward, the rest of the league should turn and run for the hills now.

“Cristiano Ronaldo did quite well in the beginning as a winger so hopefully Ollie can do something similar,” he said.

“His link up play and his work ethic is crucial but he’s definitely a number nine now, because he's so flexible.”

"We are so pleased he has stepped up and was the main man, the one who decided the game today.

"This was one of those games where we performed quite well against another opponent in form, with some top players."

Despite the loss of last season’s top scorer, Neal Maupay, Watkins has filled his new role with confidence and goals are quickly following making him one of the divisions most prolific scorers this season.

Watkins signed a four-year contract in August and Frank will be keen on holding off interest from any clubs who come calling in January.

Frank’s Bees travel to Ewood Park on Wednesday evening to face a Blackburn side who beat Barnsley on the weekend 3-2 to make it consecutive wins at home.