Linfield star Joel Cooper is the Sports Direct Premiership Player of the Month for August.

Cooper inspired the Blues to an unbeaten month with wins over Ballymena United, Dungannon Swifts, Glenavon and Loughgall. The former Oxford United man registered four goals in the first month of the season.

A delighted Cooper said: "As an attacker, you always want to start the season well and score a few goals, but the important thing is that the team is winning.

"You can't create chances and score goals if the players behind you aren't doing their job, so this award also belongs to my teammates. 

"I'd like to thank both the Football Writers and their sponsors Sports Direct for this award. It's always nice to get individual recognition."

Crusaders forward Kieran Offord was runner-up with Dungannon Swifts man Kealan Dillon in third.