Hatters duo are nominated for EFL monthly awards

Luton Town manager Jack Wilshere and midfielder Kasey Palmer have been nominated for the Sky Bet League One awards for April.

Following a month in which the Hatters topped the six-match form table, outscoring champions Lincoln City by a better goal difference of plus two as both clubs won five and drew one of six matches, it led to Wilshere being shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award. The former Arsenal and England midfielder steered Town to a 12-match unbeaten run to close the season in seventh place, missing out on the play-offs by a single point.

The Luton chief also led the club to victory in the Vertu Trophy final, beating Stockport County 3-1 at Wembley, although that competition does not count towards the monthly prize. Wilshere is up against Lincoln’s Michael Skubala, Cardiff’s Brian Barry-Murphy and Blackpool’s Ian Evatt, as a statement on the EFL website said: “Wilshere spent the international break working with his players to add a greater attacking thrust. The rewards were seen as Luton earned 16 points from six unbeaten games, scoring at least two in each, to move into the play-off picture.”

Meanwhile, Palmer, who joined Town from Hull City on loan in January, had a magnificent month as he scored five goals in as many league starts, netting a double in the 2-0 triumph at Rotherham United, also on target in the games against AFC Wimbledon and Mansfield, then bagging the winner in the 2-1 success over Barnsley in Luton’s penultimate match of the campaign. The Jamaican international also provided a sublime assist for Shayden Morris to net the equaliser at Mansfield too.

Palmer is in competition with Lincoln full-back Tendayi Darikwa, Bolton's on-loan Celtic striker Johnny Kenny and Stevenage goalkeeper Filip Marschall, as the EFL statement added: “Palmer has added his class to the Luton side with his technical ability, flair and eye for a pass. Less expected was his impact in front of goal, scoring a vital winner against Barnsley and finding the top corner at Wimbledon in his five goals and one assist.” The winners will be announced on Friday, May 8.