Gillingham manager Steve Lovell has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for January.

Gillingham were 23rd when Lovell took charge in October. A maximum 12 points from 12 in January, which included comeback wins against Rochdale and Fleetwood and victories at high-flying Charlton and Scunthorpe, lifted Gills up to 10th.

Lovell said: “We didn’t have the best start to the season, and work had to be done but we just managed to get the players working hard together as a unit and fortunately enough it turned and we’ve had a decent run since then.

“It’s hard to put a finger on what has been behind the turnaround, it’s just playing players in positions where they could be the best for the team and for the football club and getting a mutual respect with them.

“They’re a really good bunch of players, they’ve worked hard and they are still doing that now.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “After a very difficult start to the season I feared for Gillingham, but by turning to one of their own when Peter Taylor left the club, they’ve pulled themselves out of a tricky spot and are now thriving in League One.

“It was clear from day one that Steve had a clear idea of how he saw the team shaping up and time has proved him to be spot on; he’s getting the best out of the whole squad.”