Jan Kirchhoff and Fernando Forestieri lead PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards for April

Jan Kirchhoff has been voted PFA Fans' Player of the Month for April in the Premier League

Jan Kirchhoff, Fernando Forestieri, JJ Hooper and Danny Hylton have been named the PFA Fans' Players of the Month for April.

Sunderland boosted their survival hopes in April, earning six points from their five matches, and Kirchhoff was a key part of Sam Allardyce's side.

The 25-year-old, who moved to the Stadium of Light in January from Bayern Munich, played 420 minutes out of a possible 450 in the holding midfield role as Sunderland kept three clean sheets.

Kirchhoff has helped relegation-threatened Sunderland to six points in April

Kirchhoff saw off competition from Newcastle winger Andros Townsend and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge to win the award.

In the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday forward Forestieri has won the award for the third time this season.

The 26-year-old scored two goals and created an assist in April as Carlos Carvalhal's side secured the final play-off spot in the Championship.

Fernando Forestieri has won the PFA Fans' Player of the Month award for the third time

Forestieri saw off competition from Leeds United striker Chris Wood and Rotherham defender Greg Halford.

Port Vale's Hooper topped the poll for the League One award ahead of last month's winner Will Grigg and Millwall forward Steve Morison.

Watch JJ Hooper score for Port Vale in their 4-1 thrashing of Rochdale in League One last month Watch JJ Hooper score for Port Vale in their 4-1 thrashing of Rochdale in League One last month

The 22-year-old forward scored three goals as Port Vale collected nine points from a possible 15 in April.

Finally, the League Two award went to Oxford United striker Hylton, who claimed more votes than Bristol Rovers striker Matt Taylor and Accrington Stanley's Tariqe Fosu.

Every month throughout the English football season, fans will have the opportunity to vote on skysports.com for who they think has been the best player in the Premier League, Sky Bet Championship and Leagues One and Two after Sky Sports teamed up with the PFA to be the digital platform for the Awards.

Oxford United striker Danny Hylton picked up the League Two award

Before the vote opens each month, an expert panel produce a shortlist of contenders. Fans are then able to vote for the player they think deserves the award.

The panel includes Sky Sports football pundits Paul Merson, Ian Holloway and Peter Beagrie.

That trio are then joined by Mike Riley, general manager of Professional Game Match Officials, and Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, as well as the winning fan from each month.

The winning fans who will take their places on next month's shortlisting panel and make the awards to players will be announced in due course.

PFA Fans' Player of the Month awards for March

Premier League: Jan Kirchhoff (Sunderland)

Championship: Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)

League One: JJ Hooper (Port Vale)

League Two: Danny Hylton (Oxford United)