Thursday 8 October 2015 06:36, UK
The September nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award have been released.
Reading boss Steve Clarke, Paul Clement of Derby, Brighton's Chris Hughton and Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka are on the shortlist.
Clarke's Reading side started the month that with a rousing 5-1 victory at home to Ipswich and ended September with convincing away wins, beating Bristol City 2-0 and winning 2-1 against Burnley.
Three three wins in four games from Clarke's team has helped Reading into third place in the Championship.
Clement guided the team to 10 points from four unbeaten games as Derby made light work of an awkward-looking September fixture list.
The organisation and work ethic Clement has instilled earned Derby a 2-0 victory against Preston, a 1-0 success over Reading and a 3-1 win against MK Dons, all away from home.
Brighton are top of the Championship after taking a haul of eight points from four unbeaten games.
Hughton's calm demeanour on the touchline has been transmitted to his players as expectancy mounts, but the players have delivered with a 1-0 victory against Hull City and a 2-1 success over Rotherham, both at home.
And a 0-0 draw with Wolves at Molineux was followed by a 2-2 draw on their travels to Bolton.
Karanka masterminded a perfect month on Teesside as Boro affirmed their pre-season status as promotion favourites by winning all four games, with a 10-2 goal differential.
Middlesbrough did so with the flair that swept them to a 3-0 victory over Leeds, and they also won 2-1 away to Nottingham Forest, while they have climbed to second in the table with the aid of home victories, 2-0 over MK Dons and 3-1 against Brentford.