[al][/al]..From the Official Site

Academy striker Terry Dixon has been nominated for the Republic of Ireland Under-17 international Player of the Year Award.

Terry is up against Donal McDermott of Manchester City and Michael Spillane of Norwich City in the category. The news will come as a boost as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury sustained in August.

Still just 16, Terry was called into the senior squad by Steve Staunton and made it onto the bench for the friendly against Chile at Lansdowne Road on May 24 this year. He was also in the squad for the friendly against Holland in August but had to withdraw through injury.

Staunton said of Dixon's call up: "He’s a talented boy with very good ability and is highly thought of at Spurs. I feel that he’s a special talent and if he progresses nicely, we’ll see the benefits in a couple of years."

Meanwhile, the Republic's skipper and record goalscorer Robbie Keane is nominated in the Goal of the Year category for his hat-trick goal against San Marino in November - the final goal at Lansdowne Road before redevelopment.

The 17th eircom/FAI International Awards will take place on Sunday, February 4th in Citywest Hotel, Saggart and all winners will be announced live on the night. The show will also be shown live on RTE 2.

The nominations, which are chosen by a panel from the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland, are divided into 14 categories, along with a Hall of Fame Award, a Special Merit Award and an International Personality Award.