Michael Carrick praises Finn Azaz after Ireland international named Championship Player of the Month

Finn Azaz has been named Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for November. Pic: Middlesbrough FC.

Finn Azaz has been named the Championship's Player of the Month for November.

The Republic of Ireland international was recognised after scoring five goals and assisting four more across Middlesbrough's six fixtures, seeing off competition from Watford's Vakoun Bayo, Norwich City's Borja Sainz and Millwall's Japhet Tanganga to win the award.

Azaz, who was also named the PFA Championship Fans' Player of the Month, was judged to have neen the top performer in the English second tier by a panel including Sky Sports EFL expert Don Goodman, EFL chief executive Trevor Birch and Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies.

"It’s nice to be acknowledged and I’d like to thank the people who voted for me," Azaz told the club's official website.

"November was a good month for us, particularly with the goals we scored, and it was good to be able to contribute to that and play such a part.

"It’s always good to be recognised, but it’s all about the team and some of our all-round performances during the period were excellent at times.

"The challenge for us all is to maintain those standards on a regular basis, and for me personally, to keep making an impact and contributing to the team."

Boro head coach Michael Carrick added: “Finn fully deserves the award. His performances have warranted that and shown the level he’s been producing.

“He has played well for some time now. Perhaps there’s been a few more eyes on him with his goals and assists.

“Performance-wise he has been growing while he’s been here, and it’s about him having that impact on a regular basis.”