Steven Gerrard fully expects Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to one day succeed him as Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year.

The Liverpool captain was presented with the 2006 trophy at a gala dinner in London on Sunday after he topped the poll as voted for by his colleagues ahead of the other five leading candidates - Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, Rooney and Chelsea trio Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry - while Rooney picked up the young player trophy for the second time.

Gerrard himself won that award back in 2001, and the 25-year-old believes it is only a matter of time before Rooney has his hands on the main prize. The Reds skipper revealed he had voted for his England team-mate as young player, as well as Henry, and declared: "Wayne is a fantastic talent - and I am sure it will not be too long before Wayne is sitting exactly where I am now."