FA name shortlist

The Football Association has announced a five-man shortlist for the 2012 England Player of the Year award.

In a transitional year where the national side has changed both its captain and manager, several players have been deemed solid Three Lions performers and have duly been picked for the annual award.

Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart, Glen Johnson and Danny Welbeck were all selected by a combination of a fans’ votes and a panel of experts.

England played 13 games this year, with 47 players featuring and Cole, Gerrard, Hart, Johnson and Welbeck demonstrated themselves as able regulars on numerous occasions over the season.

Each of the candidates amassed at least six caps for the national side in 2012 and all featured during the finals of Euro 2012, where England were eliminated at the quarter-final stage after a penalty-shootout defeat to Italy.

England are currently second behind Montenegro on eight points in their World Cup qualification group, although Poland only trail them by three points and have a game in hand over the Three Lions.