Michael Carrick (Middlesbrough)

Boro have become the Championship’s entertainers under Carrick, freed from previous attacking constraints. They scored three goals in each of their four wins, including a vital victory at Sheffield United, to earn 12 points from five games.

Vincent Kompany (Burnley)

Unbeaten since early November, Kompany guided his Championship leaders effortlessly through another successful month, amassing 14 points from six games, including fixtures against Norwich, Watford, Luton and Millwall, with a 13-2 goal differential.

Nigel Pearson (Bristol City)

If 2022 ended with City sliding down the table and questions being asked of him, Pearson has answered all of them so far in 2023. His side stretched their unbeaten league run to nine games, collecting 11 points from five February fixtures.

Jon Dahl Tomasson (Blackburn Rovers)

Horribly inconsistent prior to February, Tomasson has found a way for Blackburn to turn defeats into draws as they regained their place in the play-off positions with three wins and three draws, for 12 points from six matches, and conceding just three goals.

The February nominations for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award are:

Chuba Akpom (Middlesbrough) – striker

A striker transformed under Michael Carrick, Akpom looks a natural coming onto the ball from slightly deeper. Five goals in as many games included finishing a fine team move against Blackpool and scoring in the vital win at Sheffield United.

Tom Bradshaw (Millwall) - striker

It is the importance of Bradshaw’s five goals that stands out. His hat-trick earned a 3-2 win over second-placed Sheffield United, he came on to equalise against leaders Burnley and scored again against play-off rivals Luton.

Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley) – central defender

The Sweden international has added a cultured presence to an already formidable Burnley defence - which conceded just two goals in six games - since arriving from Djurgardens. Cool and assured, he scored against Norwich on his debut.

Kyle McFadzean (Coventry City) – central defender

Calm and composed in his own defending, the 36-year-old’s influence on the young central defenders either side of him was evident as his return from injury coincided with Coventry keeping three cleans sheets in his five February games.

Sky Bet Championship: Manager and Player of the Month nominees

Sky Bet Championship: Manager and Player of the Month nominees