Clean sweep for Boro

Middlesbrough have completed a clean sweep as Tony Mowbray and Matthew Bates claimed the Championship manager and player of the month awards for September.

Mowbray guided Boro to two wins and two draws from their four league matches last month, steering the club to second place in the process.

Skipper Bates also fought off competition to claim his respective accolade having helped keep four clean sheets in those games.

Speaking about Bates, Mowbray told the club's official website: "Matthew has played an integral role as captain and central defender in a team that has kept four clean sheets during September.

"Such an achievement is always a collective effort, of course, but Matthew has led by example and richly deserves this honour."

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