Dean Smith up for manager of the month award

Walsall boss Dean Smith was today nominated for League One's December manager of the month award.

The Saddlers chief – who celebrates a year in charge today – guided his team to a win and three draws last month to take them out of the bottom four.

They claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day after Claude Gnakpa and Manny Smith scored in injury time to snatch victory.

The Saddlers also drew with leaders Charlton and Rochdale and were denied a win at Chesterfield by Jack Lester's last minute equaliser.

Sheffield United's Danny Wilson, Stevenage's Graham Westley and Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade are also in the running with the winner announced on Friday.