Brighton & Hove Albion's Kazenga LuaLua has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for August.
Often seen as an impact player, the mercurial winger emerged from the summer break fit and hungry, demanding the ball and tormenting defenders at will.His three goals in August included the winners against Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: “Kaz thoroughly deserves the award, he’s had a wonderful start. There were really good signs of it during pre-season and he came back in good shape.
“We were able to do a lot of work with him and he’s grown in confidence, but the area where he has excelled in his game is where he has got on the ball and provided an end product.
“He has been exceptional in our first few games and he has a responsibility to keep that going and work on the aspects of his game that can help him improve, but the team have also played a great part in that and delivered for him.”
LuaLua said: “It was very special just to be nominated for the award and to win is a very special moment for me, but the most important thing is that the team has started the season very well.
“I did work a lot in the summer to make sure I came into pre-season in good shape which has paid off so far, but I just want to keep going.
“It’s about making sure you start the season well and it helps when you are in the starting XI for each game because your confidence gets better every time you play.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “LuaLua has been at Brighton for the majority of his senior career, but it is only this season that he has been able to add goals to his undoubted talents.
"He has been a revelation down the left hand side and has been involved in all that has been good in Brighton’s attacking play.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Not previously a man renowned for his goalscoring but three goals in the month including winners against Blackburn and Nottingham Forest have played a big part in Brighton’s great start to the season.”
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.