Zak Hardaker of Leeds Rhinos is on a three-man short-list for the 2015 Golden Boot award

Leeds and England full-back Zak Hardaker has been named on a three-man short list for the prestigious Golden Boot award of 2015.

The reigning Super League Man of Steel is hoping to emulate recently-departed Kevin Sinfield who became the fourth Englishman to win the award in 2012.

Hardaker is vying with Australia half-back Johnathan Thurston, who led North Queensland Cowboys to the NRL title this year, and New Zealand full-back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Thurston is already a two-time winner of the Golden Boot which is organised annually by the Rugby League World magazine.