Nolan hoping to keep prize

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Last updated: 24th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Nolan hoping to keep prize

Nolan: Among the goals

November's contenders:
Alan Smith - Newcastle United
Darren Pratley - Swansea City
Kevin Nolan - Newcastle United
Steve Harper - Newcastle United

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The Championship contenders for the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for November have been announced.

Time is running out for you to get your vote in for your favourite player of the month, but you can get involved by clicking here.

Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan is a leading contender to win back-to-back PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards and, not surprisingly, a couple of his Magpies team-mates are also in the running.

Nolan has been a revelation for the North East outfit this term and the former Bolton ace took his seasonal tally to nine after netting the only goal of the game at Preston on Monday to send Chris Hughton's side back to the top of the table.

The 29-year-old has had plenty of praise heaped on him this season but, whilst delighted to receive personal recognition, his ultimate aim is to help Newcastle return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

He said: "On a personal note, hopefully the awards will be the first of many this season and, if that happens, it will mean I am probably scoring goals and the team is winning matches."

Goalkeeper Steve Harper, so long in the shadow of ex-Newcastle favourite Shay Given, has now established himself as the No.1 at St James' Park and is also enjoying an outstanding campaign.

The 34-year-old, who has kept nine clean sheets so far this season, has produced a number of man-of-the-match displays this term - including in the 1-0 victory at Sheffield United a couple of weeks ago.

Speaking after that game, manager Hughton said: "Steve Harper has made a couple of absolutely fantastic saves and that's the quality of keeper he is.

"He's doing the business. There are different aspects to Steve Harper. He is a Newcastle lad and has been here for a long time. He's a calming influence, a mature lad and a mature player - that has been invaluable for us."

Popular choice

The third United player proving to be very popular in the voting this month is England international Alan Smith.

The former Manchester United striker has been operating in a more withdrawn midfield role of late and his displays in the middle of the park have been a major factor why the Tyneside outfit are where they are in the table.

If anyone is going to prevent a Newcastle star from winning the award this month then that player could be Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.

The 24-year-old guaranteed his place in Swansea folklore after bagging a brace in the recent 3-2 victory over Welsh rivals Cardiff.

And he revealed he is now looking to secure a long-term deal at the Liberty Stadium.

"I have been at Swansea for three years and I am really settled. I'd like to get a new deal - hopefully scoring the winner against Cardiff will help my cause," said the former Fulham man.

There is still time left to cast your vote for any of the early front-runners or generate enough momentum to add new names to the list.

If you wish to make your vote count then you can do so by clicking here: PFA Fans' Awards

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