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.His individual effort in the 2-2 draw at QPR was breathtaking.
Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer said: “He’s 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.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Rhodes has been an outstanding goal scorer and player for many seasons now and as he enters his prime, Blackburn have done well to hold on to him.
“Natural goalscorers like Rhodes are not easy to come across and the only surprise is that this is the first time he has won the award.”
The judging panel for the Sky Bet Player of the Month 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.