England trio make shortlist for World Player of the Year

THREE England players feature on the 30-man shortlist for FIFA’s World Player of the Year award.

Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard are among 12 Premiership players in contention for the prize which will be awarded in Zurich on December 18.

This year’s competition is expected to come down to a contest between Fabio Cannavaro, captain of World Cup winners Italy, and Arsenal’s French striker Thierry Henry, a losing finalist in the Champions League and World Cup.