Three former Apprentices have been shortlisted in the npower Football League Young Player of the Year category at the Football League Awards 2012.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk, Blackpool’s Matt Phillips and Crystal Palace youngster Wilf Zaha are up for the award.
Dunk has been capped by England U21s this season after starring in Gus Poyet’s Brighton side.
Phillips who is January’s Football League Young Player of the Month has risen to prominence after starting out at Wycombe Wanderers.
He is an England Youth International but the Aylesbury born wide-man looks set to further his international experience with Scotland.
He is eligible for the Tartan Army through his grandparents and could make his debut against Slovenia on 29 February.
Fellow winger Zaha burst on to the scene at Selhurst Park last year while still an Apprentice. And he has enhanced his reputation this year with a Man of the Match display in Palace’s Carling Cup Quarter Final win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The competition is open to Football League players that are under 21 years of age, or turn 21 during the season.
John Nagle, Head of Communications at the Football League, said:
“This Award looks to recognise the exciting talent that is produced and developed within League clubs and to celebrate those players who have shown exceptional promise during the 2011/12 season.”
