Youngsters race for prize

The short list for the inaugural Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy has been announced.

The shortlist for the inaugural Wickes Young Apprentice Trophy has been announced.

Andrew Gooding (Coventry City), Rhoys Wiggins (Crystal Palace), Lewin Nyatanga (pictured) (Derby County), Ben Hinchcliffe (Preston North End), Ben Gill (Watford) and Andrew Broadbent (Sheffield Wednesday) will all battle it out for the prize.

The winner will receive £5,000 towards his club's youth development programme, along with holiday vouchers. The club of the runner-up will be awarded £3,000, while third place merits a prize of £2,000.

The winner will be picked by a panel of experts including former Jamaica international Robbie Earle and PFA representative Mick McGuire.

Stewart Regan, director of the Football League, is hoping that the trophy will help to raise the profile of apprenticeships, declaring: "I'm sure that the young apprentices on the short list will be eager to take home the trophy.

"It will certainly raise the profile of those players and will also help to highlight the grass roots development of players in The Championship."