Scunthorpe United winger Josh Morris has been nominated for Sky Bet League One player of the month for January.
The 25-year-old, who won August and September’s accolade, is once again on the four-man shortlist after netting in each of the Iron’s four league games in the opening month of the calendar year.
The former Bradford City midfielder started the month with two free-kick efforts against Peterborough United and Bury respectively, before he netted what was arguably one of his best strikes against Northampton Town. Picking up the ball more than 40-yards from goal, he advanced, worked an angle for himself and struck an effort into the top corner from 30-yards.
His fourth goal of the month came from the penalty spot to bring the Iron level against Port Vale – a match United would go onto win 3-2.
Also among the four-name shortlist is Fleetwood Town’s Cian Bolger, Mark Marshall of Bradford City and Bury’s in-form striker James Vaughan.
The judging panel comprises Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.
Here's what they had to say about each player:
Cian Bolger (Fleetwood Town) – Central Defender
Provides a reassuring presence as the middle of three centre-halves in a defence which conceded just two goals in five games. He’s been powerful in the air, as he proved with a last-minute headed winner at Coventry, one of his two goals in January.
Mark Marshall (Bradford City) – Winger
Switching between the wing and a central role behind the main striker, Marshall used his pace to match-changing effect throughout the month with two assists and two goals, including a wonderful solo effort against Chesterfield.
Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United) – Winger
Back to his brilliant early season form, Morris earned his third nomination this campaign by scoring in all four of Scunthorpe’s games. He followed up superb free-kicks against Peterborough and Bury with a brilliant winner on the run at Northampton.
James Vaughan (Bury) – Striker
A month to savour for the 28-year-old as Vaughan notched seven goals in five games. Dominant in the air and dynamic on the ground, he proved his finishing class with four goals in a 20-minute spell in the 5-1 triumph over Peterborough.