IT'S a case of as you were in the race to be The Northern Echo Player of the Year.

Still out in front is Newcastle's Craig Bellamy, chased by Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate and Hartlepool's Gordon Watson.

In fact, the only change to last month's top ten is the inclusion of Bellamy's partner in crime Alan Shearer at the expense of Darlington keeper Andy Collett.

However, there has been movement within the top ten - top three aside.

Bellamy's average rating has increased slightly from 7.3 to 7.34 in a period which the Magpies show no signs of letting up in their title challenge.

A man-of-the-match tally of nine at Spurs in midweek ensured he keeps on top.

Bellamy's only black spot in the month came in the defeat at Old Trafford when he came out with a 3-1 defeat and a personal rating of six.

Boro's Mr Consistent has saw his average up from 7.21 to 7.27 as Boro finally found some welcome form to lift them out of the bottom three.

Southgate was outstanding in the victory at the Stadium of Light last Tuesday, collecting an eight to bolster his average.

And Hartlepool's Gordon Watson, who took his goal tally for the season to 13 in the midweek win over Scunthorpe is also on the up.

His stock has risen from 7.2 to 7.26 following a great run of form for both him and Pool.

Ratings of eight in each of the last two games show how valuable he is to Chris Turner's side.

Sunderland's Kevin Phillips has ousted teammate Thomas Sorensen from fourth spot.

While fans vent their fury towards manager Peter Reid, Phillips is keeping the Wearside fires burning.

Two eights and a pair of sevens during what has been a difficult month for the Black Cats boost his average slightly from 7.04 to 7.08.

Alarmingly, Sorensen seems to have been affected by the troubles on Wearside.

The Great Dane has suffered a drop from 7.05 to 6.95 following a string of bad results.

The thumping at Ipswich came in December but since then Sorensen's best mark is a seven earned against Boro and three sixes in a row may have put paid to his hopes.

Pool's Mark Tinkler shares fifth spot with Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given.

Tinkler is an integral part of the Pool midfield, but how he reacts without the calming influence of Tommy Widdrington alongside him in the engine room remains to be seen.

Given has proved a rock behind the Newcastle back line and has consistently been in the top ten.

Bobby Robson's side might have enjoyed a thrilling win over Leeds, but despite the forwards taking all the praise in the 3-1 win, they were thankful to Given for keeping things tight at the other end and he picked up eight for his troubles that afternoon.

A welcome mover in the leading positions is Darlington skipper Craig Liddle.

Not only has he returned from a broken leg, but a hectic programme in January and there's more of that to come this month and next have thrown the classy defender straight in at the deep end.

But he has been as untroubled as ever and could make a real push on the leading positions in the coming weeks.

Teammate and scoring sensation Mark Sheeran is one to keep an eye on.

He's made a massive impact in the last week, coming from the bench to score vital goals, and once he has passed the five-game benchmark, he could be among the leaders