Super Eagles target, Chuba Akpom, has been named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for December after his impressive performance for Middlesbrough while Burnley manager, Vincent Kompany, has received the Manager of the Month award.

Akpom scored four goals for Boro in December including a hat-trick against Wigan Athletic in a 4-1 win on Boxing Day. The former England youth player who has confirmed his switch of allegiance to play for Nigeria has scored 13 goals in 19 league games this season to see his side place fifth on the log.

Reacting to the award, the 27-year-old says he is humbled and hopes to continue his fine form as he hopes to help Boro return to the topflight at the end of the season.

“I’m grateful and humbled, and it’s amazing to receive the award. I just want to be able to carry on my form and help the team reach our targets,” Akpom told Sky Sports. “We’re going well and it’s been a good season so far. But we’ve got a lot of football to play.”

He’s also received accolades for his performance from his manager, Michael Carrick, who says he’s delighted for the former Arsenal academy player. 

“I’m delighted for Chuba. He’s been playing really well and I’m sure he’d be the first to acknowledge the role of his team-mates in laying the foundations. Individual awards are always good because overall it means you are doing well as a team.”

Akpom who scored his first goal of 2023 against Birmingham in a 3-1 away victory would be hoping to continue his goal scoring form when Boro welcome sixth-placed and playoff rivals Millwall to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.