Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy, James Beattie and Alan Shearer - the four highest scorers in the premier league - are on a six-man shortlist for this year's PFA Player of the Year award.
Manchester United striker van Nistelrooy pipped Arsenal's Henry to last year's award, which is organised by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and voted for by their fellow professionals.
Shearer won the award in 1995 and 1997.
Gianfranco Zola and Paul Scholes make up the 2003 list.
Beattie has scored 21 Premiership goals this season - two more than Henry and three more than van Nistelrooy - and has helped pilot his side into the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Ireland and Manchester United star John O'Shea has made the Young Player of the Year shortlist but Everton striker Wayne Rooney (17) is hot favourite to win the award.
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).
