The September nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are:
Daniel Ayala (Middlesbrough) – central defender
A stellar month. His commanding presence and defensive positioning were key to Middlesbrough conceding just two goals in four games, while the Spaniard’s headed winner at Nottingham Forest came in the week he became a father.
Nick Blackman (Reading) - striker
What a difference a season and your manager’s faith make. With three clinically taken goals in the month and two assists in the 5-1 win over Ipswich Town, he is using his pace, movement and new-found confidence to devastating effect.
Emyr Huws (Huddersfield Town) – midfielder
Has made an instant impact in West Yorkshire, forming a strong partnership with Dean Whitehead and displaying his range of passing going forward. Scored four goals in the month, too, including a fine long-range effort against Bolton Wanderers.
Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers) - striker
His importance to Blackburn has rarely been better illustrated, scoring five of his side’s seven September goals to lift them into mid-table on his return from an ankle injury. His individual effort in the 2-2 draw at QPR was breathtaking.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY OCTOBER 9 2015
The judging panel comprises Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Head of Communications John Nagle; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.