Paul Simpson has been shortlisted for the League Two manager of the month award for March.

The Carlisle United manager's impressive start to life back at Brunton Park has put him in the running for the SkyBet prize.

Simpson led the Cumbrians to five wins last month in a superb run which has eased relegation fears at United.

The 55-year-old will have a strong chance of claiming the prize, with only Bristol Rovers' Joey Barton equalling Simmo's record last month.

If he does so it will be the first manager of the month award at United since Keith Curle in October 2016. 

The Blues manager's nomination caps a remarkable return to his home-city club, Simpson taking charge in February at a time United were second-bottom of League Two with one point from six games.

After starting with a win at Leyton Orient in late February, Simpson in March oversaw wins against Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, Northampton Town, Barrow and Bristol Rovers, only dropping points in the defeats to Newport County and Rochdale during the month.

Simpson's rivals for the monthly award are Barton, Exeter City's Matt Taylor and Salford City's Gary Bowyer.

The judges' citation on Simmo says: "Returning to his hometown club with their EFL place in jeopardy, Simpson has inspired a remarkable transformation.

"Five wins in seven March games appear to have brought survival on the pitch while restoring faith and hope off it."

If Simpson lands the award it would not be for the first time at United, since he won it twice during his last spell in charge - in December 2005 and March 2006 amid Carlisle's 2005/6 League Two title campaign.

The winner will be announced on Friday morning.

United, despite their impressive March form, do not have any nominees in the player of the month category.

The four shortlisted players are Exeter's Cameron Dawson, Northampton's Mitch Pinnock, Leyton Orient's Ruel Sotiriou and Port Vale's Ben Garrity.

The manager of the month judging panel comprises former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson, Sky Sports’ EFL expert Don Goodman, EFL communications director Mark Rowan, and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

READ MORE: Carlisle United's Paul Simpson channels Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp in rallying cry to club and fans