AITOR KARANKA and Lee Tomlin have been shortlisted for the Championship's monthly awards for January.

Boro head coach is Karanka is one of four people shortlisted for the Manager of the Month award, while forward Tomlin makes the cut for the Player of the Month trophy.

This is the third time Karanka has been nominated for a Manager of the Month prize, but on the two previous occasions he lost out to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.

This time around, he is up against former Boro boss Steve McClaren, now of Derby, Brentford's Mark Warburton and Leeds' Neil Redfearn.

Karanka is a strong favourite to win the award, as Boro picked up more points in January than the other three clubs selected and also knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup.

Tomlin is nominated for Player of the Month after scoring three goals in his four league appearances in January, and also turning in an eye-catching performance at the Etihad.

He is shortlisted alongside Watford striker Odion Ighalo, Leeds midfielder Luke Murphy and Wolves defender Richard Stearman.

The winners will be announced tomorrow.