Reading manager Steve Coppell was celebrating today after being named Coca-Cola Championship Manager of the Month for December.

Reading enjoyed an excellent December, winning five and drawing two of their seven league fixtures. The month saw them produce a five game winning streak, which included victories over Coventry City, Barnsley and Blackpool. However, the undoubted highlight for Steve Coppell's side was their impressive victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews, a result which saw the Royals move ahead of their promotion rivals and into the automatic promotion places in the Coca-Cola Championship.

Also short-listed for the December award were Dave Jones of Cardiff City, Neil Warnock of Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers' Mick McCarthy.

Chris Kamara, chairman of the Coca-Cola Manager of the Month Awards panel, said: "Steve Coppell is once again demonstrating just why he is one of the best managers around. He lost several players over the summer as a result of Reading's relegation from the Premiership but has moulded a team that are mounting a serious title challenge in the Championship. Their away win at Birmingham was an outstanding result and proof, if needed, that the Royals are on track to return to the Premiership at the first time of asking."

Nigel Pearson of Leicester City won the award in League 1 and Dagenham and Redbridge's John Still was given the League 2 accolade.

The decision to present the Coca-Cola Championship Manager of the Month award was made by the Coca-Cola Awards panel headed by Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara, former World Cup referee Jack Taylor, on behalf of The Football League, Richard Bevan and Olaf Dixon of the League Managers Association and Steve Watts, Marketing Assets Manager, Coca-Cola Great Britain.

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