Cardiff v Ipswich: Mick McCarthy will be a happy man if he DOESN’T get the award for Championship manager of the month for December.

Announced this morning, the Blues boss has been nominated along with Hull’s Steve Bruce and Malky Mackay of Cardiff.

In a twist of fate, two of the contenders go head-to-head at the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow.

And McCarthy, who is actually third when it comes to points accrued in December, knows who he wants to win as he bids to gain any advantage over the runaway league leaders.

He joked: “Lets hope they give it to Malky, as it normally means they screw up at the weekend! It’s nice (to be nominated), but I’m not bothered. It tells us that we have had a good month and the lads have played well. But they won’t give it to me anyway because the other two have done better than me.”

Mackay’s Cardiff have blown everyone away in the Welsh capital, losing just once in 13 games, and McCarthy is under no illusions how big a job awaits his side.

“They have been excellent in the games I have seen,” the Town boss explained.

“They are a very good side with some experienced players and they seem to be going in the right direction.

“Malky has done a great job down there. He learned his trade at Watford and he just carried it on – he is flying at the moment.”

Despite losing their last two matches, Brighton at home and Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Town have largely shown renewed vigour and steel – two traits they will need in abundance tomorrow.