MIDDLESBROUGH players have missed out on Championship Player of the Year honours, despite sitting top of the league with just five games to go.

Despite fans believing that the likes of midfielder Adam Clayton or defender Daniel Ayala might be nominated for the awards, players from Fulham, Brentford and Boro's promotion rivals Burnley were preferred.

Burnley's Andre Gray, Brentford's Alan Judge and Fulham's Ross McCormack make up the three-man shortlist for an award won last year by Boro loanee Patrick Bamford.

Twitter users have been reacting on Twitter to the news.

The Northern Echo: NOVEMBER 28: Adam Clayton of Middlesbrough celebrates at full time of the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough at John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Daniel Chesterton/phcimages.com) (47789519)

Adam Clayton - missed out on awards.

Luke Metcalf, ‏@LukeMetty91, wrote: "Can't believe we don't have any players up for championship player of the year, is Clayton not the best midfielder in the league #boro #joke".

While Peter Swallow, ‏@CCfooty, "Shocked Adam Clayton hasn’t been shortlisted for Championship POTY. Plenty of good defensive minded players overlooked, shame #boro".

Jonathan Barber, ‏@jonobarber97, wrote: "Hard to understand how Adam Clayton hasn't been nominated for Championship Player of the Year. I am sure he won't mind if #Boro go up!"

Jake Dunning, ‏@Dunning93MFC, wrote: "Are you joking why isn't there a #boro player up for championship player of the year".

Andrew, ‏@wheatmann5477, added: "When you're 2 points clear, kept 21 clean sheets but haven't got a player as good as Fulham or Brentford".