Strikers top players' poll list

Strikers dominate the nominations for the PFA Players’ player of the year award with Arsenal’s midfielder Patrick Vieira failing to even make the six-man shortlist.

Vieira has been a dominating force in the Gunners’ season but team-mate Thierry Henry is the favourite to win the award, with Everton’s Wayne Rooney expected to be named the young player of the year.

Henry faces competition from Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes, current Premiership leading scorer James Beattie plus a couple of old war-horses in Alan Shearer and Gianfranco Zola.

Players’ player of the year nominations: James Beattie (Southampton), Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

Paul Scholes (Manchester United), Alan Shearer (Newcastle), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea).

Young player of the year nominations: Craig Bellamy (Newcastle), Jermain Defoe (West Ham), Jermaine Jenas (Newcastle), John O’Shea (Manchester United), Scott Parker (Charlton), Wayne Rooney (Everton).