Red-hot Bunny hops her way to December Player of the Month award

Khadija Shaw is relishing returning to action with Manchester City after scooping the Women's Super League Player of the Month award for December. 

Shaw, 26, has been handed the accolade for the first time this season after netting a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Everton to maintain her place at the top of the WSL scoring charts. 

That treble took her tally to nine for the season — two clear of closest rivals Lauren James, Martha Thomas and Elisabeth Terland — going into the winter break. 

And Shaw, known by her team-mates and fans as Bunny, is ready to bounce back into the swing of things on Sunday when City face Durham in the FA Cup before welcoming Liverpool to the Manchester City Joie Stadium seven days later. 

She said: "December was a great month for us as a team and I am grateful to everyone who voted. 

"We're getting into a really important part of the season now, so winning both our games in December has given us a big boost. 

"Hopefully we can continue our strong form until the end of the season and make our fans happy."

Shaw beat off competition from City team-mate Lauren Hemp, Liverpool's Taylor Hinds, Leicester ace Lena Petermann, Manchester United's Ella Toone and Tottenham's Barbora Votikova in the public vote for the award. 

The Jamaican striker was at her devastating best against the Toffees, despite missing an early penalty. 

She broke the deadlock with a sublime chip past keeper Courtney Brosnan before doubling her tally with a driven shot into the bottom corner. 

And after Jill Roord had further extended the lead, Shaw secured the match ball by heading home in the 65th minute. 

Meanwhile, City have submitted a planning application for a purpose-built training facility for Gareth Taylor's side at the City Football Academy. 

The proposals, which will cost the club up to £10million, will see the creation of a standalone facility designed to house the women's first team.

Should the application be approved, facilities including a hydrotherapy area, high-performance gym and analytics space will open next year.