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Who is your Sir Stanley Matthews Stoke City Footballer of the Year? The Sentinel, in conjunction with the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation, is looking for the Stoke City player who has been the outstanding performer for the Potters over the past season.

Our Stoke City writers, Martin Spinks and Peter Smith, along with foundation honorary vice-president Nigel Johnson, have selected a shortlist of eight players who they believe are deserving of this accolade. And now we need Stoke City fans to vote for the overall winner, who will be honoured during the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year Awards dinner at the King's Hall on May 24. Submit your vote and you will go into the hat to win a pair of tickets for the sports awards dinner.

Past winners include the likes of Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shawcross, Jon Walters, Steve Nzonzi, Jack Butland and Lee Grant, but who will be this year's recipient? The decision is yours, just select a player from our eight top Potters of 2017/18. They are…

A never-say-die bundle of energy in central midfield, Joe Allen has been a shining light in a difficult season for Stoke City. The Wales star has emerged as a fans’ favourite thanks to his work rate and enthusiasm and has chipped in with a club-high six assists.

Still, at 37, the player Stoke want chances to fall to in the penalty area. A super ambassador for the club in the wider world, too, with anything he writes on social media usually going viral thanks to a self-deprecating wit.

(Image: Getty)

The 30-year-old has been shifted around the pitch at Stoke in the season he also helped Senegal qualify for the World Cup. A striker, he was utilised at wing-back for large periods as well as out wide and has won admirers for his dedication.

Stoke’s seven-goal top scorer has enjoyed his best personal season in the Premier League in difficult circumstances. The Swiss star has carried the side’s attacking threat for much of the campaign and when he finds the net it’s usually a contender for goal of the month.

A tough season for the long-serving captain trying to hold things together at the wrong end of the table and remains as consistent as anyone. Now aged 30, he has usually been pivotal in Stoke’s all-too rare wins, including away at Watford and at home against Huddersfield, Arsenal and West Brom.

(Image: GLYN KIRK)

Immediately impressed as a great athlete in the heart of Stoke's defence after arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Missed just a small sprinkling of matches as he remained a fine physical specimen boasting an attitude to match.

The Austria right-back was a virtual unknown in England when he signed from Russian club Rubin Kazan but he has brought much-needed pace and character to the squad. The 26-year-old can speak five languages, play the piano and even has his own pilot’s licence, but it’s his sprightly performances which have earned him the thumbs up from the Boothen End.

If only the Senegal international had signed for Stoke last summer instead of in January. He has helped forge a tenacious midfield pairing with Joe Allen since his arrival from Galatasaray at the end of the winter transfer window. The 27-year-old’s tough tackling and driving runs have been a feature of the Potters’ upturn in form since Paul Lambert’s arrival as manager.

So there you have it… your top eight Potters of 2017/18. Now vote for your Sir Stanley Matthews Stoke City Footballer of the Year. Simply click here to access the voting form...

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Voting closes at noon on Wednesday, April 25. Voters must be at least 18 years old. Winning player will be announced at the Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year gala dinner at the King's Hall on May 24.

In the event of a tie in voting, the winner will be decided by Nigel Johnson, honorary vice-president of the Sir Stanley Matthews Foundation. One vote only per person.

Full terms are available at www.thesentinel.co.uk/terms