FOREST Green Rovers boss Mark Cooper has been nominated for the December manager of the month award while George Williams has been nominated for player of the month. 

Cooper picked up three wins and a draw during December while Williams scored five times, including a stunning hat-trick against Newport County on Boxing Day. 

The Rovers boss has been nominated alongside David Flitcroft from Mansfield Town, Michael Jolley of Grimsby Town and Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley. 

On his nomination, Cooper said: "It’s always nice to be nominated,” he said.

“The team has done really well and if not for a couple of silly mistakes we would have had faultless record for December but it’s onwards and upwards.

“The players had a point target over that period which they reached but looking back, we’ll be frustrated that we didn’t get maximum points because it was in our grasps, but we will learn from that.”

Williams meanwhile is up against Oldham's Chris O'Grady, who also netted five goals, as well as Lincoln City's John Akinde and Carlisle United left-back Danny Grainger.

The Welshman wa honoured to find out he has been nominated. 

“I’m delighted to be nominated,” said Williams.

“When I first scored that goal against Yeovil, I didn’t think I would go on and score another four, but I have, and it’s been great, and I feel full of confidence at the moment.

“To be nominated is a great honour. I’ve watched those goals against Newport back quite a bit, especially that second free-kick and the celebrations and who doesn’t enjoy watching them.

“There are some important goals in there as well. When you think back to the Yeovil game when we were down to 10 men, to score the winner in that was crucial and the Cheltenham game is a big rivalry, so that’s also an important one and I’m pleased to be contributing.”

He also earned plenty of praise from manager Cooper who has had full faith in the young Welsh international since bringing him to the club in the summer.

“It’s brilliant for George. He had a tough time up until then and we were just waiting for him to spark,” added Cooper.

“We took a gamble playing him as a centre-forward against Newport and he came to life and he hasn’t looked back since.”

The winners will be announced on Friday, January 11, with the judging panel comprising of Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet EFL Trader Mikey Mumford.