PFA's top six youngsters

Heskey is a favourite with the Anfield faithful

BBC Sport Online take a look at the PFA's shortlist for English football's young Player of the Year award.

Emile Heskey (Liverpool)

Also nominated for Player of the Year, this burly striker has more than justified his £11m price tag and won over the Anfield faithful.

The immense strength of this 23-year-old has helped the Reds bulldoze many defences and helped create goals for strike partners Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen.

21 goals have helped his club towards three Cup finals, including the crucial late strike against Wycombe in the FA Cup and a hat-trick away to Derby in October.

Wes Brown (Manchester United)

Wes Brown (l) has been a tower of strength

The 21-year-old goes from strength-to-strength. Has now become a regular fixture in the Man Utd first team and his skill, speed and strength in the air has helped him build a mighty partnership with Jaap Stam.

Has become a familiar face in Sven Goran Eriksson's new England set up.

Michael Carrick (West Ham)

West Ham's star 21-year-old midfielder has been in dazzling form this year.

Carrick's ingenuity and tireless running has hugely helped the Hammers' cause. He has progressed at international level with England.

Comes from a large crop of talented youngsters at Upton Park where he has struck up an impressive partnership with Frank Lampard.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Gerrard has had a monumental season with the Reds.

Gerrard is integral to Liverpool's success

Still only 20, he has become a favourite with manager Gerard Houllier. Only injury has prevented him from playing a more major role with England.

Has helped his club reach three cup finals with a combination of athleticism and combative tackling.

A phenomenal striker of the ball and his haul of nine goals is impressive for a midfielder.

Joe Cole (West Ham United)

Cole seems to have been around for ever but at only 19 is still impressing on the Premiership stage.

Joe Cole has a dazzling array of skills

Bags of skill and his endless energy has unsettled the best of performers in the league this year.

Manager Harry Redknapp has nurtured his talent carefully and he has established himself as a regular in the first team at Upton Park.

Alan Smith (Leeds United)

Began this season in dramatic style smashing home twice in Leeds' defeat over Everton at the beginning of the season.

Has great vision and strength belies his height and his tender age.

The 20-year-old is also breaking into the England team. His 15 goals this season have helped his club reach incredible heights in the Champions League this season.