Adam Matthews has been nominated for the Bristol Street Motors PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for October.
The Wales international, who signed for the club from Celtic in 2015, has been ever-present in Jack Ross’ starting XI this season, making 12 appearances in Sky Bet League One.
Sunderland were unbeaten in October, with the Lads picking up 13 points from a possible 15, while also defeating Carlisle United in the Checkatrade Trophy.
With four clean sheets in their last four games, the Black Cats’ defence has played a pivotal role in a six-game winning run that has taken the club to second in the table.
Matthews started in each of those games alongside Tom Flanagan, Reece James, Jack Baldwin, with the quartet providing immense protection to Jon McLaughlin's goal.
Plymouth Argyle's Freddie Ladapo, Oxford United's Simon Eastwood and Tony McMahon, Barnsley's Brad Potts and Rochdale's Ian Henderson have also been nominated.