Rotherham United's Matt Crooks nominated for Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award

The 27-year-old is on a four-man shortlist after a prolific New Year run of form in four league outings during the Millers' second-tier survival battle.

His citation reads: "Crooks’ technique is under-appreciated - witness his low volley against Middlesbrough, one of three January goals he scored bursting from midfield."

Crooks faces competition from Blackburn Rovers winger Harvey Elliott, Reading defensive midfield man Josh Laurent and Swansea City striker Jamal Lowe.

The winner will be announced tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Sky Sports EFL pundit Don Goodman is on the judging panel along with EFL communications director Mark Rowan and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

Other citations:

Harvey Elliott: Pace, control, vision and, perhaps most impressively of all, consistency at the age just 17. He provided the assist for three of Blackburn’s five goals in January.

Josh Laurent: Has provided the midfield shield upon which Reading’s season has been founded. A superb reader of the play and a dynamo with bundles of energy..

Jamal Lowe: His electrifying December form continued with another three goals in four games. Praised for his work ethic in pressing defenders and tracking back.