Walsall winger Wes McDonald nominated for December player-of-the-month

Following a spell of below-par performances the 23-year-old was at the heart of the Saddlers’ impressive form last month.

In some scintillating displays he earned a penalty, got three assists and scored twice in the seven games during December.

One of those goals was the brilliant 20-yard curling effort away at Tranmere, which sparked the club’s four-game winning run.

McDonald is facing tough competition for the award in Carlisle defender Rhys Bennett, Morecambe striker Carlos Mendes-Gomes and Crawley forward Max Watters.

The winner will be announced on Friday.

Meanwhile, Stuart Sinclair says he has been left frustrated at the side’s performance at the weekend.

The midfielder made his first start since November and is disappointed at the side giving up their good form in the 2-0 loss to Carlisle.

He said: “It was a tough game, they played forwards very quickly and they were very organised. But I think we’ve got to be better as a side, especially at home. That’s the most frustrating thing, we didn’t feel that we were far away and we felt like we weren’t on our game as we should be and that’s frustrating.

“We were on a good run and we were playing well so to lose the three is disappointing.

“Just to keep the consistency is what we really needed to do and we have to go back to the training ground, evaluate and make sure that in two weeks that we’re ready and pushing.

“For us it’s consistency, making sure we are consistent and we make ourselves tough to beat and do the right things in the right areas and we build from there. I think sometimes we have lax moments and that’s what causes us not to be consistent so that is something we have to work on, look at and self-evaluate over the next two weeks. Make sure that when we come back, we’re making those margins even tighter and cutting out those little mistakes that we are making which are making it swing the other way.”