Martin O'Neill, Demba Ba given monthly awards

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month for December.

Seven points from a possible 12 have pushed the Black Cats into the top half of the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has been given the Player of the Month award.

The Senegalese forward found the net five times during the month to put him on 15 goals for the season.

Ba will now depart the North East club to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.