Aitor Karanka has been nominated for the Championship Manager of the Month award.
It is the second time this season he has been up for the gong - and once again he will go head-to-head with Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy.
Karanka is deservedly on sponsor Sky Bet’s shortlist of Sky Bet four after an impressive December for Boro.
They mauled Millwall 5-1 away early in the month then dismantled then table-toppers Derby 2-0 in a sizzling small screen showdown. Boro also beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 in front of a sell out crowd on Boxing Day, then drew 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers.
The only blemish in an otherwise productive month that yielded 10 points from five games and three clean sheets was the 2-0 pre-Christmas defeat away at Ipswich.
The Spanish head coach faces some stiff competition for the award though.
McCarthy, Bournemouth's Eddie Howe and Watford’s Slavisa Jokanovic are also in the frame.
McCarthy edged out Karanka in September when Boro went unbeaten and took Liverpool to a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
This time Howe must be considered the favourite as his side can again boast five wins and 17 goals as they climbed to the summit in style.
Jokanovic is named after Watford, now fifth, won four games in December, including three on the road, and scored 12 goal en route.
Meanwhile McCarthy’s Tractor Boys won four games by two-goal margins - including beating Boro - and drew the other in a determined December that took Ipswich into second place.
The winner, selected by a panel that includes ex-Ipswich boss George Burley and one-time Sunderland striker Don Goodman, is announced tomorrow morning.
The panel will also name the Player of the Month tomorrow.
The shortlist features Bournemouth grafter Harry Arter, Norwich midfield goal getter Bradley Johnson, Bolton keeper Andy Lonergan, who has kept three clean sheets, and Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy who got six goals in five games over the month including one against Boro.
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