Brentford attacking midfield player Sam Saunders has been named Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for December.

The Bees have been in fantastic recent form, winning their last seven on the spin with away wins against fellow promotion challengers Preston North End and Peterborough United included.

That extended Brentford’s run to 12 wins in the last 13 Sky Bet League One matches and took them to the top of the table.

In December, The Bees picked up four wins out of four in Sky Bet League One.

They won away to Preston and at home to Oldham Athletic, Swindon Town and MK Dons.

They were beaten by Carlisle United in an FA Cup with Budweiser Second Round match that does not count for the award nomination and started 2014 with a win at Peterborough on January 1, a game that will count for January’s award.

Sam played a key role in Brentford’s form in December.

He came off the substitute’s bench to set up the winner for Jonathan Douglas against Oldham and then came on in the first half against Preston, scoring the third in a 3-0 win.

He started against Swindon, scoring one of Brentford’s goals in a 3-2 win, and then scored one and made one in the win against MK Dons.

He also set up a goal for Farid El Alagui in the cup defeat against Carlisle and continued where he left off in December by scoring one and making one in the New Year’s Day win at Peterborough.

The Player of the Month award is decided by Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman, Football League Head of Communications John Nagle, League Managers Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Head of Football Paul Wiggins.

Sam was selected ahead of fellow nominees Jose Baxter, of Sheffield United, Walsall defender Paul Downing and Milton Keynes Dons midfield player Stephen Gleeson.

Don Goodman said: “When a midfielder scores three goals in a month, you know they are at the very peak of their game.

“Sam has been flying and has clearly been the driving force behind Brentford’s five-game winning streak.”

Paul Wiggins said: “Sam Saunders has been in excellent scoring form in December as Brentford have roared to the top of Sky Bet League One.

“He has managed to score the same number of goals in the month as he did for the entire 2012/13 season.

“He will be looking to hold down a regular place in the team if his scoring form continues.”