Adam Clayton has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for December.





Clayton started every game for Boro during December in a month when Aitor Karanka's side reached the Championship summit with impressive wins over Burnley, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday.





The Teessiders have not conceded a goal in the league since losing to Hull at the KC Stadium in November, and Clayton has played a huge role in Boro's defensive solidity.





He's also the first Boro player to receive three consecutive Ramsdens Player of the Month awards after winning the fans' vote for September, October and November.





It's the first time a Boro player has won this award since Lee Tomlin picked up the gong in January 2015 and Clayton was keen to share the accolade with his teammates.





"I'm absolutely thrilled to receive this award," he said. "I'm buzzing about it because this is a great league with some very good players.





"We didn't concede a league goal in December so, to be honest, any member of our back five could have won this award.





"It shows how well the whole team are playing and I'd like to think this is an award for all of us."



