Bale has been made favourite for the prize after being named as one of seven nominees on Friday. The 21-year-old caught the eye during an oustanding first half of the season, particularly in two Champions League games against Inter Milan in October and November. A back injury has since limited his impact but Redknapp still feels he is most deserving of the honour. Redknapp said: "Gareth's had an amazing early part of the season, he was in great form. "He's picked up a bit of an injury recently but the kid has been absolutely amazing and has got better and better. "In all honesty he would be my choice, he deserves it this year. "He has been the best player this season out of all the players in the country." Bale was also named on the seven-man shortlist for the PFA Young Player of Year. Arsenal's Samir Nasri is also in the reckoning for both awards. The pair are both bidding to become the first players since Andy Gray (1977) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2007) to collect both gongs in the same year. The other nominees for the main award were Manchester City's Carlos Tevez, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, Blackpool talisman Charlie Adam and Bale's Spurs team-mate Rafael van der Vaart. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Arsenal starlet Jack Wilshere, Everton winger Seamus Coleman and the Manchester United pair of Nani and Javier Hernandez complete the young player list. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "This year there are some very good contenders and it is nice to see some homegrown players in there as well. That is encouraging. "We are the most cosmopolitan league in the world but I would feel a little sad if all the nominations were to players from abroad. "There is a nice lovely blend there which says what is good about football in this country. "It is a blend of some of the best in the world - senior players with some up-and-coming youngsters that have come through our development programme."
