IPSWICH Town boss Mick McCarthy has been nominated for the Championship manager of the month award for December.

The Blues boss will battle it out for the monthly gong with Hull City manager Steve Bruce and Cardiff City chief Malky Mackay, who ironically McCarthy goes head-to-head with on Saturday.

In only his second month in charge at Portman Road, McCarthy enjoyed a super December winning four matches – including three victories on the road – while drawing one and losing just once.

But from a points total, both Cardiff (five wins and one defeat) and Hill (five wins and a draw) had a better month.