Tuesday 5 January 2016 10:36, UK
Leeds United midfielder Sam Byram has been named the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for December in the Sky Bet Championship.
December was a superb month for Leeds as they remained unbeaten in their six matches, winning three and drawing three.
Byram, who polled a staggering 82.43% of the vote, played a key role for Steve Evans' side during that run, scoring three goals and grabbing an assist on his way to the award for the second tier.
Blackburn's Shane Duffy (8.87%) and Wolves winger Jordan Graham (8.70%) were also on the three-man final shortlist, which was reduced from an initial list including Alan Judge (Brentford), Brett Pitman (Ipswich), Christian Stuani (Middlesbrough), George Friend (Middlesbrough), James Wilson (Brighton), Lasse Vibe (Brentford), Nelson Oliveira (Nottingham Forest) and Tom Ince (Derby County).
Every month, throughout the English football season, fans will have the opportunity to vote on skysports.com for who they think has been the best player in the Barclays Premier League, Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two, after Sky Sports teamed up with the PFA to be the digital platform for the Awards.
Before the vote opens each month, an expert panel will produce a shortlist of contenders. Fans will then be able to vote for the player they think deserves the award.
The panel includes Sky Sports football pundits Paul Merson, Ian Holloway and Peter Beagrie.
That trio will be joined by Mike Riley, general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials, and Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters Federation, as well as the winning fan from each month.
