OWEN Coyle has been nominated for the Championship manager of the month award after guiding Rovers to six points from nine in November.

Rovers ended last month with back-to-back wins over Brentford and Newcastle that helped move them out of the Championship relegation zone.

The month had started with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on November 5, before the international break, as Rovers ended with six points from a possible nine.

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Rovers have already been credited for that win at St James’ Park, which ended the Magpies’ nine game winning run, having been awarded the LMA performance of the week following the 1-0 victory.

Coyle has won the Championship manager of the month award before, that being back in October 2008 when he was in charge of Burnley.  The Scottish boss has also won the Premier League manager of the month award twice, in November 2010 and March 2012, both with Bolton.

However, he is bidding to become the first Rovers boss to have win the Championship version of this award.

Former Rovers bosses Mark Hughes (October 2007), Brian Kidd (December 1998), Roy Hodgson (August and December 1997) and Kenny Dalglish (January and November 1994) all won the accolade in the Premier League.

Villa boss Steve Bruce, whose win over Rovers was one of two victories last month, is also nominated after a haul of seven points from a possible nine.

However, favourites for the award will be Derby boss Steve McClaren and Jaap Stam, of Reading, who both led their sides to three wins from three last month in their ascent towards the top of the table.

Derby claimed the scalps of Wolves, Rotherham and Norwich, while Reading, who are due at Ewood Park on December 17, beat Wigan, Burton and Bristol City.

The winner of the award will be announced tomorrow.