Defender wins Championship player of the month

Reading defender Alex Pearce has won the nPower Championships Player of the Month award for December, after putting in some fine displays in the Royals defence. He kept four clean sheets in five games, along with scoring two goals.

The 22-year old also took the opportunity to speak out his hopes of playing for the Republic of Ireland in the coming months. Giovanni Trapattoni is aware of his progress and has watched him on numerous occasions.

Pearce told SkySports.com: 'It would be a dream come true for me to play for Ireland at any stage in the future and hopefully things like this award can only help me. I think every player wants to play international football and play at the highest level and I am no different.'

I believe Mr Trapattoni and his coaching team are aware of me and I will just keep doing what I am doing for Reading and hopefully something will happen with Ireland and they will take a chance on me. It is always nice to get recognition like that in winning the award and it is a sign the team are doing well.'

Manager Brian McDermott was up for Manager of the Month award but was just beaten by Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray, with his side taking just one more point than McDermott's side in the whole of December.