Blackburn's Jordan Rhodes is Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month

Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for September.

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.

Rhodes' individual effort in the 2-2 draw at QPR was breathtaking.

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer said: "Jordan has had a fantastic month and this award is richly deserved.

"The team is playing well and creating chances and there is nobody better to get on the end of them.

"His goals return is phenomenal, but it doesn't come as a surprise, because the amount of work that he does on his finishing out on the training pitch is outstanding.

"He's reaping the rewards for all the hard work that he does and this has also been recognised with his recall to the Scotland squad.

"Not just his goals, but his all-round play has been particularly pleasing. He's a quality finisher and he's proved that this month, but he's far from finished and long may that continue for us."

Rochdale midfielder Peter Vincenti has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month for September.

Vincenti tapped into the richest goalscoring form of his career, scoring in four separate games and over half of his side's goals in the month.

His support play from midfield and well-timed runs into the box have become vital to Rochdale.

The award comes swiftly on the back of the inaugural Sky Bet Football League Unsung Hero award, which he picked up for August.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill said: "The recent signing of his three-year contract extension showed Peter's appetite to stay at the club.

"He enjoys the environment at Rochdale and he's playing happy. He's a shining example for a lot of the players that we've got at the football club.

"I think Peter has been outstanding in his goal-scoring exploits this season and I'm also delighted with his leadership qualities.

"He's very influential and he's an important character in the changing rooms. He's committed and when players are committed, they commit performance wise."

Vincenti said: "It's the first time I've been nominated for this award so I'm delighted to have won it.

"I've seen players win it before and I've always thought to myself that I would love to be nominated, so I'm really pleased.

"Obviously one player has to be nominated but, for me, it shows what we're achieving as a team.

"If we weren't doing well or we weren't playing well as a team, then the chances are I wouldn't have been nominated.

"It's a combined effort from everyone so it's nice for everybody at the club to get the recognition."

Barnet forward Michael Gash has been named the Sky Bet League 2 Player of the Month for September.

September was the month in which Gash rediscovered the goalscoring prowess of his non-league days.

Four in five games were the result of good positioning allied to the physical presence he brings as leader of the attacking line.

Barnet manager Martin Allen said: "Winning this award is testament to Michael's character, his personality, and all the hard work that he has put in on the training pitch and away from it.

"His wife also deserves a lot of credit because he has moved down here, stayed with family, and been away from his wife and two children.

"So the dedication and commitment that he has shown to the football club has been absolutely first class.

"I couldn't have wished for an award to go to a more humble, hard-working, dedicated man. He thoroughly deserves the award and I'm absolutely delighted for him.

"He's very popular with all the players. It's great that he's been recognised with this award, and it's great for the football club."

Gash said: "I'm obviously very happy to pick up the award. It's a great honour for me and my family.

"It's fantastic to pick up this award in my first Football League season, and after just two months. But it's not just me. It's the whole team, the staff, and everyone behind the scenes who have contributed to this award.

"Without them, I'm not going to not going to be on the pitch scoring goals. It's an individual award, but it's also about the whole team."