Harland and Wolff Welders striker Matthew Ferguson is the NIFWA Championship Player of the Month for December.

Ferguson scored four goals in the month including a hat-trick against Dergview as the Welders turned their season around with three wins in the festive month.

This award is particularly special for the former Ballymena United man, who has just returned from two years on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

He said: "I'm delighted to win this award as it has been a difficult couple of years for me with injuries. It's just great to be back on the pitch and to be back scoring goals.

"At the Welders, we made a slow start to the season but now we're on a bit of a roll. Our job is to carry December's form into the new year and get the club up the table."