DARREN RANDOLPH and Dael Fry have got Tony Pulis’ vote for Middlesbrough’s player of the year, even if he thinks a couple of others have ran them close.

Boro’s best player of an up-and-down campaign will be announced tonight at the Riverside Stadium, along with the young player of the year gong.

And fans are voting on the club’s website who they think should win the award, with Randolph, Fry, Jonny Howson and Lewis Wing the four shortlisted.

While impressed with that particular quartet, Pulis has his own opinion on who thinks should collect the honour after impressive displays throughout the season.

Randolph has been at the top of the table for Championship clean sheets all season and his 19 is now only bettered by promoted Sheffield United’s Dean Henderson boasting one more.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, a £5m buy two years ago, has made some excellent saves and has already been named in the PFA team of the year. If Boro don’t go up via the play-offs then there is sure to be clubs interested in his services.

Fry, on the other hand, has made 39 Boro appearances and at the age of 21 has provided a calming influence when asked to play in a variety of roles. He has missed the run-in through injury but Middlesbrough have a level-headed defender on their hands and this has been his most consistent year to date, forcing his way on to the England Under-21s stage too.

Pulis said: “Randolph and Dael would be my picks. Dael has been ... just before he got injured, his performances were very good. The great thing about Dael is he’s played left-back, right-back, he would be playing left-back now, centre-half and he’s also played in midfield in a couple of games.

“He’s done fabulous. He’s got to grow a little bit in terms of his character but he’s been fabulous.

“Randolph is the best goalkeeper in the league. I don’t want to give Dael too much (credit) because there’s still a lot more to come. But he’s come on. He’s had his games where he’s not been brilliant of course but for a kid he’s been smashing.”

Fry could be handed the young player of the year award at the event, while Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Wing are alternatives.

Wing and Howson are the other two contenders for the main prize and both have enjoyed impressive first full seasons under Pulis on Teesside.

The pair were key players in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win over Reading on Saturday when the three points kept them in the mix for a play-off spot.

Wing’s return to the starting line-up was kept a secret after his recovery from hernia surgery and he scored his fifth of the season to level things up against Reading.

The 23-year-old’s performances have made him one of Pulis’ key men in a sign of the progress he has made since moving from Shildon in the Northern League a couple of years ago.

He linked superbly with Howson. The former Leeds man, more known as a centre midfielder, has also shone down the right hand side as a wing-back, full-back and even a right-midfielder.

Pulis said: “The other one has been Wingy. He’s been a treat to work with, someone who’s come out of lower leagues, it’s been refreshing – and he’s been the find of the Championship this season.

“Jonny has done well, he’s a great lad as well.

“I think he’s got the second best running stats in the Championship, it’s extraordinary.”

Derby go to Swansea tomorrow night and a win for Frank Lampard’s side would put them three points ahead of Boro for the final play-off spot, and with a far superior goal difference too.