League two prize for hot-shot Holt

Grant Holt has been voted League Two's player of the month for November - as he stands on the brink of becoming only the third Shrewsbury Town player ever to bag 20 goals before Christmas.

Holt earned the Powerade-backed award after scoring seven goals in six games for Paul Simpson's side during a profitable November.

The hot streak continued on Saturday with the 26-year-old grabbing the winner in his team's 1-0 victory over Rotherham, taking the former Nottingham Forest and Carlisle frontman to 18 goals for the season.

And, with three matches still remaining, that has raised the prospect of Holt crashing through the 20-goal barrier before Christmas.

Only two Town players have ever managed such an achievement since the club entered the Football League, Alf Wood in the 1971-72 season and Arthur Rowley in the 1959-60 campaign.

Simpson today hailed Holt's impact, and also insisted the award was an acknowledgement for a consistent run from his team.

"I think it tells you the sort of run we have had, not just for Grant himself but as a team," said the Town chief.

Revelation

"Grant's really knuckled down over the last month. He's been excellent in training and he has got his rewards off the pitch.

"But he brings a lot to the team on top of his goals because he works his socks off and covers every blade of grass."

Chris Kamara, chairman of the Powerade Player of the Month awards panel, added: "Grant Holt has been a revelation at Shrewsbury since his signing from Nottingham Forest in the summer.

"He has always been a talented footballer but this season he's added to his all-round game and become prolific in front of goal, helping his side mount a serious title challenge in League Two."

Meanwhile, Mike Jackson was today hoping to step up his training after running without reaction yesterday. The defender missed Saturday's victory with an ankle problem.