Crystal Palcace wins the manager of the month with all smiles as Connor Wickham wins player gong #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

TONY PULIS has strengthened his case to be named manager of the year after winning the monthly award for April.

Tony Pulis (left) and Connor Wickham (right) with their April awards[BARCLAYS]

Pulis picks up the Barclays manager of the month gong after guiding Crystal Palace to four wins out of five.

Palace beat Chelsea 1-0, Everton 3-2, Cardiff 3-0 and West Ham 1-0 to take 12 points from a possible 15 and move up to 11th place.

There have been calls for Pulis to be recognised as the division's best manager this season, but he faces competition from Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers and Chelsea's Jose Mourinho.

Wickham has scored five goals since returning from Leeds [BARCLAYS]

 

And Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has picked up the Barclays player of the month award after a stunning turn of goalscoring form.

In March, Wickham was struggling to score for Championship side Leeds, but Gus Poyet's decision to recall the loanee has paid off remarkably.

In April, Wickham hit the net five times in the Premier League - including doubles during the 4-0 win against Cardiff and 2-2 draw at Manchester City - have helped the Black Cats climb out of the relegation zone.

Wickham also scored in the 2-1 victory against Chelsea.