Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate wins Championship Manager of the Month award

Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has been rewarded for his side's turnaround in form with the Championship Manager of the Month award for December.

The Smoggies were in deep relegation trouble at the start of the month, having won just three games all season, but a stellar run of four wins in six - followed by another victory on New Year's Day - propelled them up to 16th in the table.

"I'm really pleased, not for myself, but for everyone here," said Woodgate. "It's all about a team effort, and there's some fantastic staff at this football club who really care.

"We have a fantastic team spirit at the club, and that togetherness is key to everything we do."

Boro now find themselves 10 points clear of the dropzone and just eight points off the playoffs.