PFA player of the year awards - in pictures

A breakthrough year for the young striker from Manchester United, Danny Welbeck has become a regular starter and has been called up to the England squad Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images With a loan spell at Aston Villa under his belt last season, Kyle Walker has established himself as Tottenham's first choice right-back and has already made his England debut Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Arsenal from Southampton, some eyebrows were raised amongst the Gooner faithful but 'the Ox' has showed the potential which had a number of suitors vying for his signature last summer Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Daniel Sturridge has been seen by many Chelsea fans as a positive in a difficult season for their strikers, scoring 10 league goals Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images The winner of the main award last year, Gareth Bale will be hoping that his performances in arguably the best Tottenham midfield in a generation will help him to the young players award Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Following a £38m move from Atlético Madrid, Sergio Agüero has maintained his good form throughout the season, scoring 26 goals for the title challengers and being nominated for the main award and the young players prize Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Following a disappointing 2010-11 season by his standards, Wayne Rooney has been back to close to his best this term Photograph: Jon Super/AP Manchester City and England's Joe Hart will be hoping to become the first goalkeeper since Peter Shilton in 1978 to win the award Photograph: Sandra Montanez/Bongarts/Getty Images The winner of the Football Writers' Association award last season, Scott Parker has had a fine season in the Tottenham midfield Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Since arriving from Valencia in 2010, David Silva has more than justified the hype and his performances have kept Manchester City in the title hunt Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Staying clear of injury, Robin van Persie has had his best season in an Arsenal shirt, scoring 34 goals so far this term Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images