The April nominations for the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two Player of the Month award are:
Jayden Bogle (Derby County) - Full-back
The 18-year-old dispelled any fears he may be fatigued at the end of his first season in the Derby side by venturing forward with even more purpose to score his first two goals for the club and add an assist to complement three clean sheets.
Dwight Gayle (West Bromwich Albion) – Striker
Has rediscovered his scoring touch just in time for the play-offs with six goals in as many games for the predatory forward. His hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Preston was the highlight – three unerring finishes to prove his form.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa) - Midfielder
What an impact he has made since returning from injury and assuming the Villa captaincy. Able to glide past opponents at will and pick the perfect pass, he also contributed two goals and two assists, including a rare header at Bolton.
Daniel James (Swansea City) – Winger
Two goals and five assists in the month barely hint at the majesty of his wing play, driving at defenders with his searing pace, turning them dizzy and then cutting inside to unleash a shot or slide a pass in front of a teammate.
Jim McNulty (Rochdale) – Central Defender
The rock at the heart of a defence which tightened up in April and kept four clean sheets in six games. Brave and whole-hearted, he reads the game superbly – witness his goal-line clearance against Wycombe which set up Dale’s 1-0 victory.
Alex Mowatt (Barnsley) - Midfielder
Seemingly involved in everything that Barnsley do, he provided two assists and two goals as his side looked to seal automatic promotion. What goals, too – a searing shot on the run against Shrewsbury and a sumptuous free-kick at Plymouth.
Joe Pigott (AFC Wimbledon) – Striker
How immense was his contribution to Wimbledon climbing out of the relegation zone for the first time since the autumn? Leading the line with passion and scoring five of his side’s six goals in the month will do it every time.
Lyle Taylor (Charlton Athletic) - Striker
Embraces his status as the Charlton talisman. Quite happy attracting attention on the pitch, too, creating space for teammates and adept at finding his own space, as he proved with five well-taken goals in as many April games.
Ryan Bowman (Exeter City) - Striker
Brought down from Scotland in January to score vital goals, Bowman contributed five of them in six games to keep Exeter ahead of the chasing play-off pack. Two of them were trademark headers, while he also won a penalty.
Joe Day (Newport County) - Goalkeeper
A busy month for Newport was made easier by the form of Day who, astonishingly, kept six clean sheets and conceded just one goal in seven games. His shot-stopping ability was particularly sharp in the 0-0 draw with Swindon.
Christian Doidge (Forest Green Rovers) – Striker
Five goals in five games for the forward who is demonstrating again the finishing ability that lured him to Bolton earlier in the season. Aerially strong, his neat footwork on the ground was evident in the equaliser at Crawley.
Kurtis Guthrie (Stevenage) – Striker
A stellar month for Guthrie, who led Stevenage’s late charge toward the play-offs, amassing seven goals in just five games. Every type of goal, too, from headers to converting a through ball, a long-range effort and finally a volley at Mansfield.