2006 will certainly be a year Theo Walcott will never forget.

A multi-million pound transfer from Southampton to Arsenal in January suddenly catapulted the teenager into the media spotlight, a focus which would intensify following his shock inclusion in England's ill-fated World Cup squad after becoming the nation's youngest international against Hungary during May 2006.

A whirlwind 12 months looks set to end with the talented footballer being named as BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year at the NEC in Birmingham on Sunday night.

There can be little doubt Walcott, 17, has the world at his feet, having shown no fear when finally handed his full Arsenal bow earlier this season, frightening the defenders of the Barclays Premiership with blistering pace and helping the Gunners reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

In Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, there is arguably no better mentor.

Yet the level-headed forward knows he is far from the finished article.

Walcott said: "My hopes for the future are only going to happen if I work hard.

"I would like to reach my potential for Arsenal and for the England national squad and see where that takes me - but I have got to work hard.''

The likes of rising British tennis star Andy Murray and Wayne Rooney have been previous winners of the prestigious BBC accolade.

The three shortlisted finalists for 2006 are completed by blind athlete Elizabeth Clegg and table tennis player Paul Drinkhall.

Clegg, 16, is already being tipped to win gold at the London Olympics in 2012 following her second place in the 200 metres at the IPC World Championships.

Drinkhall may only be 16, but he is the top-ranked male table tennis player in England and competed at the Commonwealth Games.

A public vote by telephone and text message will decide the winners of each category during Sunday's show on BBC One, which is being broadcast for the first time from the NEC in Birmingham.