Thierry Henry is favourite to carry away the trophy he lifted last season after another scintillating campaign for Arsenal and the French forward will be fancied to top the voting for a second successive year.
The competition is fierce, however, with Henry's Highbury team-mate Patrick Vieira also on the shortlist as reward for some inspirational performances for the Premiership leaders.
Evergreen Alan Shearer, whose goal helped Newcastle United reach the Uefa Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night, has an outside chance of picking up the silverware after partnering Henry in 2003's Team of the Season.
The former England skipper has enjoyed another profitable campaign in front of goal and, at 33, is looking as fit as ever.
Steven Gerrard is another of the sextet as his peers recognise the drive and influence of the man who has taken over as Liverpool captain this term.
The hard-working midfielder is certain to play a key role in England's Euro 2004 plans in the summer.
Frank Lampard's growing stature at Chelsea has earned the Blues midfield man a place in the top six and the former West Ham star is known to have many admirers within the game, particularly in the Arsenal dressing room.
The West Londoners' exciting season is reflected in Lampard's nomination and the fact that three of his team-mates are on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Completing the line-up for the senior award is Bolton Wanderers' maverick midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha, whose performances in the Carling Cup thrilled the nation.
The Nigeria captain scored twice in the semi-final win over Aston Villa but, bizarrely, has failed to find the net in this season's Premiership, despite firing in over 100 shots for Sam Allardyce's men.
Manchester United, whose players had scooped the top prize in three successive seasons before Henry's award last year, do not have a single player on either the senior or the Young Player shortlists, perhaps reflecting their relative drop in standards, even though Sir Alex Ferguson's charges are strong favourites to lift the FA Cup and they are still challenging Chelsea for second spot in The Premiership.
PFA Players' Player of the Year nominations 2004:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Jay-Jay Okocha (Bolton)
Alan Shearer (Newcastle)
Patrick Vieira (Arsenal)
