Mary Earps in line for another trophy! Man Utd & England goalkeeper makes final BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist alongside Rory Mcllroy & Stuart Broad after World Cup and WSL heroics

The England goalkeeper is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Beth Mead, who won the 2022 prize, which would also mean that a woman has bagged the award for the third successive year following Emma Raducanu's success in 2021, which had been preceded by 15 years of male dominance.

Earps played a pivotal role in Sarina Wiegman's team's journey to the Women's World Cup final in August. Her outstanding performance earned her the Golden Glove at the World Cup, maintaining three clean sheets on the way to England's historic first final. Additionally, Earps showcased her prowess by saving a penalty in the Lionesses' heart-wrenching 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney.

Competing against notable contenders such as Ashes hero Stuart Broad, world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, veteran jockey Frankie Dettori, Ryder Cup talisman Rory McIlroy and wheelchair tennis No.1 Alfie Hewett, Earps stands out as the frontrunner for her exceptional contributions to English football.

The BBC is looking to reward the sports personality "whose sporting actions have most captured the UK public’s imagination during 2023".

Earps, who also claimed the WSL Golden Glove award for 2022-23 after helping Man Utd finish second in the table, might need a larger trophy cabinet at her home as she keeps sweeping individual awards on the back of a stellar year. She has already won the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year, the British Sports Journalism Sportswomen of the Year award, BBC Women's Footballer of the Year,in addition to TheBest FIFA Women's Goalkeeperprize.

The winner of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be determined by a public vote on December 19, with the successful sportsperson becoming the 70th recipient of the prestigious award.

However, Earps remains focused on the job at hand as the shot-stopper will be back in action against Leicester City on Thursday evening in the FA WSL Cup, before United host bitter rivals Liverpool in the WSL on Sunday.