MURPHY TOPS CALL-UP POLL

In a popular vote, Murphy - who has emerged as a regular for Liverpool this season - polled a round third of all votes cast to beat off stiff competition from West Ham wonderkid Joe Cole.

Cole himself managed 26% of the vote in clear second place, with old-hand Paul Merson a distant third with a creditable 12%.

Marcus Stewart's claims for an England call-up have been popular fare in the papers - yet the prolific Ipswich forward managed only 9% of the votes, 2% more than Cole's West Ham team-mate Michael Carrick.

Ugo Ehiogu has been a major part of the renaissance at Middlesbrough, but, along with Danny Mills shared just 10% of the vote.

Frank Lampard worked wonders for England's Under-21 side last season, but his form has dropped off of late and he brings up the rear with just 3% of the vote.