Carlisle United's Jordan Gibson has been rewarded for his impressive October with a player of the month award.

The Blues star has been voted League One's top player for last month by fans.

Gibson won the PFA Vertu Motors player of the month trophy ahead of a number of fellow third-tier contenders.

The prize caps an impressive start to life in League One for the attacking midfielder, who is United's leading scorer with seven goals.

Five of those strikes came in an eyecatching October as Gibson hit a memorable hat-trick at Bolton Wanderers and also scored against Peterborough United and Burton Albion.

His exploits were enough for supporters to vote for Gibson ahead of fellow nominees Colby Bishop and Conor Shaughnessy from Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic's Alfie May, Blackpool's Jordan Rhodes and Peterborough's Ephron Mason-Clark.

Gibson, 25, expressed his gratitude to supporters for backing him.

News and Star: Gibson's impressive October included a hat-trick at BoltonGibson's impressive October included a hat-trick at Bolton (Image: Richard Parkes)

Posting on Instagram, the attacking midfielder said: "Delighted to win @the_pfa Player of the Month award for October!

"Thank you to everyone who voted, I appreciate it a lot."

Gibson has been United's top performer since promotion, in a period when the former Bradford City and Sligo Rovers man also became a father for the first time.

Manager Paul Simpson also praised Gibson for his recent form and said he had set good standards which he must strive to maintain.

Speaking after the midfielder's two-goal haul against Harrogate Town in last Tuesday's 2-0 Bristol Street Motors Trophy victory, the Blues boss said: "He has to use [that game as a benchmark of how to work, and the rewards you get when you work.

“The games where he’s scored goals are when he’s worked his socks off.

“He’s had a few when he hasn’t quite been at it – and I get it, he’s had a change in his life with the baby coming along and with everything and all the emotion that goes with that.

“I know from my own experience how that does get to you a little bit and changes your whole outlook.

“He’s got to keep pushing on, demanding, he works like he did and shows the ability he did [against Harrogate].

“If he does that he’s got every chance of getting to double figures.”

Gibson was also on the shortlist for the official SkyBet League One player of the month for October, with Charlton forward May winning that award.