Wigan Athletic boss shortlisted for gong

April began with a home defeat against Portsmouth, but then burst into life with four successive wins - against Doncaster Sunderland, Crewe and Shrewsbury - before a decent point against in-form Burton.

That return of 13 points from six games helped to earn Richardson the Latics job on a permanent basis.

Also up for the gong is Michael Appleton of Lincoln City, who rallied his players superbly after a poor run of March form when it seemed they might fall out of the promotion race.

A haul of 13 points from six games restored lost momentum and kept them in sight of the automatic places.

Grant McCann's Hull City side played six games in April, fewer than most of their promotion rivals, but won five and drew one, scoring 14 goals.

What mattered most was the 2-1 victory at Lincoln which clinched a return to the Championship.

The shortlist is made up by Mark Robinson of AFC Wimbledon who, after two 1-0 defeats to start the month, blitzed their way through the next six games, scoring 17 times to pick up 14 points and move out of the bottom four.

The winner will be revealed on Friday morning.

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