Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka and midfielder Adam Clayton have won the Sky Bet Championship awards for December. Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka and midfielder Adam Clayton have won the Sky Bet Championship awards for December.

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka and midfielder Adam Clayton have won the Sky Bet Championship awards for December.

Boro went unbeaten in the league last month, taking 13 points from a possible 15 without conceding a goal to go top of the table, and both winners were chosen ahead of three other contenders.

"I can't achieve anything without my team, my staff, the club, everybody and so this is a nice award but the main award is to be in the position we are in at the moment," Karanka told Sky Sports News HQ.

Karanka and Clayton show off their awards

"If I win five of these and we don't get promotion then it means nothing. I'd be happy to not win any more awards and for the team to get promoted."

Clayton said: "The Championship is such a high standard of league now, with so many good players, so I'm delighted to win it. It's nice to be recognised for what you do."

Lower down the ladder, Sheffield United's four straight wins earned Nigel Adkins the League One managers' award.

"It's all about the team, they're the ones working hard on the pitch," said Blades boss Adkins. "It's been a bit of an inconsistent season for us but we were able to keep a settled side in December and maybe that reflected in the results."

Nigel Adkins poses with his December award and the Sheffield United squad

Doncaster's Andy Williams, who was on the November shortlist only to miss out, took the players' award after four goals in four appearances.

Williams said: "I've been up for nomination a few times and it's nice to finally get the award. The form of the team has meant that I've been getting a lot more chances. I'm feeling more confident than I ever have."

Shaun Derry won the managers' award in League Two after his first full month in the Cambridge job ended with three wins and a draw, including victory at leaders Plymouth.

And Gareth Evans, whose four goals from wide midfield helped Portsmouth to four wins from five games, was named the division's player of the month.