Bale, Nasri lead PFA nominations

Gareth Bale and Samir Nasri have both been nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

The PFA announced today that Tottenham winger Bale and Arsenal playmaker Nasri were among seven nominees from the Premier League for each of their of their top prizes. The pair are likely to face stiff competition in both categories, however, as the contest is generally perceived to be wide open.

Bale's Spurs team-mate Rafael Van der Vaart is also in contention for the main prize along with Manchester City's Carlos Tevez, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Blackpool talisman Charlie Adam.

There has been no outstanding favourite so it will be very interesting to see who people think are favourites. ~ PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor

 England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere, Everton's Seamus Coleman and Manchester United pair Nani and Javier Hernandez are the other contenders for the young player gong.

Bale and Nasri are bidding to emulate Andy Gray (1977) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2007) as the only players to previously win both awards in the same year. Wayne Rooney was last year nominated in both categories but took the chief prize while James Milner was young player of the year.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor believes the lists are reflective of an exciting season. Taylor said: "It is certainly very competitive. There has been no outstanding favourite so it will be very interesting to see who people think are favourites.
"Last year Wayne Rooney had an exceptional season. This year there are some very good contenders and it is nice to see some homegrown players in there as well. That is encouraging."