Rotherham United midfielder Matt Crooks has been named as one of four nominees for the coveted Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for January.
The towering attacker managed three goals from four league outings in the opening month of 2021, helping his side to wins over Derby County and Middlesbrough, whilst his brace earned the Millers a share of the spoils in a pulsating 3-3 home draw with Stoke City.
Crooks has formed a lethal partnership with forward Michael Smith in recent weeks, with both players profiting from their understanding in the final third. Alongside his own goalscoring exploits, the former Northampton Town man has helped to provide the ammunition in attack and it is no coincidence that Smith is also enjoying a rich vein of form for the Millers.
The January nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are:
Matt Crooks (Rotherham United) - attacking midfielder
Crooks’ technique can often be under-appreciated by the neutral, witness his low volley against Middlesbrough, one of three January goals he scored bursting from midfield to mark the anniversary of his friend Jordan Sinnott’s untimely death.
Harvey Elliott (Blackburn Rovers) – winger
Pace, control, vision and perhaps most impressively of all, consistency at just 17, Elliott has blossomed at Ewood Park. He provided the assist for three of Blackburn’s five goals, including a dreamy slide-rule pass at Birmingham.
Josh Laurent (Reading) – defensive midfielder
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, he also picks the right pass going forward. Scored the pivotal first goal against Bournemouth.
Jamal Lowe (Swansea City) – striker
His electrifying December form continued with another three goals in four games. Praised for his work ethic in pressing defenders and tracking back, his brace against promotion rivals Watford included a lovely curling effort.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2021
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; EFL Communications Director Mark Rowan and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.