Daryl Murphy says Mick McCarthy's vote of confidence helped him on his way to being voted the Championship's player of the month for December.

The Waterford native scored six goals in five games for Ipswich Town last month, including two each against Leeds United and Brentford under the watchful eye of Tractor Boys boss McCarthy.

And Murphy says the faith put him by the former Ireland manager has been key to his purple patch on the pitch.

When asked for the reason behind his good run, the said: “The manager just believing me and telling the number nine jersey he gave me ... everything just kind of clicked together.”

Congratulations from everyone at #itfc to striker Daryl Murphy on his @SkyBetChamp POTM award! #HeyDarylMurphy pic.twitter.com/OUipFJblSm

— Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 9, 2015