Dan Neil stellar breakthrough season has been recognised with the Sunderland academy graduate nominated for the League One Young Player of the Season award. The midfielder is on the three-man shortlist for the award, with the winner set to be announced on Sunday, April 24, at the EFL Awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The 20-year-old has been a huge hit in his first full season of senior football, playing in 35 of Sunderland's 41 league games so far - with 31 of those appearances starts. He has contributed three goals and seven assists in the league this term, with that form earning him a call-up to the England U20 squad.
Neil faces competition for the award from Portsmouth's on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, and Fleetwood Town winger Paddy Lane. Neil has already been rewarded for his outstanding performances this season, having been named the EFL Young Player of the Month for December, and also scooping the North East Football Writers' Young Player of the Year award last month.
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The nominees for the full League One Player of the Season award are MK Dons midfielder Scott Twine, Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan, and Rotherham United striker Michael Smith. Twine has contributed 15 goals and 12 assists to MK Dons' promotion push, while Smith has scored 18 goals for promotion hopefuls Rotherham, and Bannan has been nominated for his match-winning performances for play-off contenders Wednesday.
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