Reading favourite shortlisted for EFL award despite playing through pain barrier

Reading forward Harvey Knibbs has been nominated for EFL League One Player of the Month following a run of three goals in three games during November.

The popular star has admitted that he is playing through the pain barrier with a MCL injury, but that did not stop the 25-year-old from featuring for the full 90 minutes in each of the league matches during the month, all of which were away from home.

On a run of four away matches without defeat, something which would have surprised many given the Royals' woes on the road for the last 18 months, Knibbs scored crucial goals at Stevenage and Peterborough United as Ruben Selles' side picked up four points.

Knibbs failed to net against Barnsley in a 2-2 draw, or in a 3-0 win over former club Cambridge United, but has continued this form with the equaliser at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Stockport County striker Louie Barry, with six goal contributions; Max Cleworth of Wrexham and Joe Low of Wycombe Wanderers join Knibbs in the shortlist.

Phil Parkinson, Dave Challinor, Michael Duff and Matt Bloomfield are all up for the Manager of the Month award- with the Chairboys chief Bloomfield aiming for a second successive monthly award.