Toon defender lands award

The 29-year-old Argentinian beat off competition from team-mate Cheick Tiote and Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley to claim the prize. Middlesbrough's England Under-21 international Joe Bennett topped the vote in the Young Player of the Year category. The pair will be presented with their trophies at the north-east Football Writers' Association's annual dinner at the Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, on Sunday, November 27.