Three Irish players, Roy Keane, Paul McGrath and Liam Brady have won the prestigious PFA Players' Player of the Year award in England, the definitive verdict of a player's impact in a given season by his peers.  Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City won the award last season. 

It could be argued that French midfield dynamo N'Golo Kante was unlucky not to receive the gong in 2016, but he has another chance after being nominated on a shortlist of 6 for this year's award. 

Of course Kante has made a huge impact for a new club, Chelsea, this season - and another key part of the Premier League leaders' push for the title, Belgian Eden Hazard, is among the nominees.  Hazard won the PFA Award 2 years ago. 

The shortlist is completed by the evergreen Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal, Everton's Romelu Lukaku and Tottenham's Harry Kane.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane has not been included. 

Tottenham's Dele Alli must be considered a warm favourite to retain the PFA Young Player of the Year Award.

Kane and Lukaku are also in the running for that, alongside Manchester City's Leroy Sane, Michael Keane of Burnley and Sunderland's Jordan Pickford.