Chris Hughton and Aitor Karanka are going head to head – for manager of the month honours.

The Albion and Middlesbrough bosses are both on the four-man shortlist for the Sky Bet award for April.

Seagulls wideman Anthony Knockaert is a contender for the player of the month prize.

The winners will be announced tomorrow morning as anticipation builds to the promotion showdown by the Tees.

Hughton saw his Seagulls side collect 16 points from six games in April, scoring 18 goals in the process as they kept the heat on Boro and Burnley.

Middlesbrough had five win and three draws last month and Karanka’s nomination cites his squad rotation to keep players fresh while remaining in the top two.

Neil Warnock’s act of escapology with Rotherham is recognised in the shortlist. The Millers avoided relegation with ten points from seven games during the month, including a 4-0 win over rivals MK Dons.

Dean Smith is also a candidate after Brentford took 19 points from eight games, scoring 19 goals.

Knockaert’s tally of four goals and four assists last month earns him a nomination for the player’s prize.

His rivals are Michael Keane, the Burnley defender who scored precious late goals against both Albion and Middlesbrough, Brentford striker Scott Hogan and Derby wideman Jonny Russell.