Pukki and Smith nominated for EFL monthly awards

Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki has been nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for September while head coach Dean Smith is shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award.

Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki has been nominated for the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month award for September while head coach Dean Smith is shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award.

Injury meant Pukki did not make his usual flying start to a Championship season.

That was until the calendar switched to September when he came alive with three goals and two pivotal assists in three games.

Pukki assisted Onel Hernández's winning goal in injury time against Birmingham before getting the ball rolling in the 3-0 win against Coventry.

He bagged a double against Bristol City as the Canaries held them off to win 3-2 before setting up Sam Byram for the equaliser against West Brom.

He's already continued that form into October, scoring the only goal in last weekend's win at Blackpool.

Also nominated for the award are Wes Foderingham (Sheffield United), Carlton Morris (Luton Town) and Patrick Roberts (Sunderland).

Head coach Smith guided the team to seven points from three games through September in the middle of a run of nine games unbeaten.

The run, which has already continued into this month, sees Norwich now level on points at the top of the Championship table.

Also nominated for the award are John Eustace (Birmingham City), Paul Heckingbottom (Sheffield United) and Russell Martin (Swansea City).