Championship Player of the Month and Manager of the Month nominations for April
Thursday 5 May 2016 11:42, UK
The nominees for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month and Manager of the Month awards for April have been announced.
Burnley's Michael Keane, Brighton winger Anthony Knockaert, midfielder Johnny Russell of Derby and Brentford striker Scott Hogan are up for the player award.
Brighton's Chris Hughton, Aitor Karanka of Middlesbrough, Dean Smith of Brentford and Rotherham boss Neil Warnock are nominated in the manager award category.
Keane has been instrumental in Burnley's defence which conceded just four goals in six games in April, and he also contributed two crucial late headed equalisers in draws with rivals Brighton and Middlesbrough.
Knockaert was the main spark of a Brighton attack which scored 18 goals in six games, chipping in with four assists and four goals himself.
Having missed 19 months with two cruciate ligament injuries, Hogan was restricted to just 93 minutes on the pitch in April across five games, but five goals, which helped secure seven points, proved that his predatory instincts are still there.
Russell was the catalyst of Derby's return to form in April, scoring four goals including two towering headers.
Hughton's team have collected 16 points from 18 in April, scoring at least two goals in their six games.
Karanka's men have gone eight games unbeaten in a busy month as they continue to challenge for the second automatic promotion place.
Smith's Brentford have had a stellar month. They began April hovering dangerously above the relegation zone but six wins and a draw from eight games has lifted them into the top ten.
Rotherham have completed a remarkable escape from relegation as Warnock oversaw seven games which yielded 10 points, three clean sheets and included a crucial and emphatic 4-0 win at rivals MK Dons.
FL72 Live
