Reading forward Sam Smith has been nominated for the EFL Player of the Month for March after a glut of goals helped his side pull away from relegation danger.

Rising through the ranks with the Royals but failing to force his way into the team, the 25-year-old went away and impressed in two seasons with Cambridge United before returning to the club on a long-term deal in the summer.

Injured for the first portion of the season, Smith has since scored 12 League One goals in 31 appearances as Ruben Selles' men overturned a 10-point deficit in November to now sit nine points clear of the drop zone heading into the final three matches.

Smith scored in four successive league matches for the month of March as Reading won three and lost two.

The Mancunian netted first last night too as Reading beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.

Ebou Adams of Derby County; Alfie May of Charlton Athletic and Joe Taylor of Lincoln City are also up for the gong.

Winners of the award will be announced on Friday.