Wales U21 international keeper Michael Crowe and New Zealand international forward Monty Patterson (pictured) are among the young players Town have announced have been offered new terms.

Crowe, 21, Patterson, 20, former Republic of Ireland U18 international striker Shane McLoughlin, 20, midfielder James Blanchfield, 19, and 19-year-old defenders Chris Smith and George Fowler have all had the one-year options on their current professional contracts taken up by the club.

Manager Mick McCarthy has previously announced that the Blues would be exercising their one-year option to keep midfielder Kundai Benyu, who will be in Vanarama National League play-off action with his loan club Aldershot this evening, and will be offering the 19-year-old a longer-term contract.

McCarthy has confirmed that defenders Paul Digby, 22, and Joe Robinson, 20, and keeper Jacob Marsden, also 20, will be departing at the end of the season.

Regarding the second-year academy scholars, defender Luke Woolfenden and midfielders Conor McKendry and Flynn Downes, all 18, will also staying at Playford Road for another season, while keeper Harry Wright, the 18-year-old son of former Blue Richard, has been offered another one-year deal.

Andre Dozzell, Nick Hayes and Ben Morris previously signed two-year professional contracts with the club when they turned 17 with Dozzell extending his to the summer of 2020 yesterday, his 18th birthday.

Striker Callum Fullwood, 18, will have his scholarship extended into next season having spent time out injured.

Moving on are full-back Kieron Cathline, who played in an exit trial match at Woking last night, winger Ross Meldrum and defender Kolade Salaudeen, all 18.

Photo: TWTD

whosroundisitanyway added 16:42 - May 3 Can't believe some of these boys haven't come close to first team debut's yet. They're not kids anymore so are they good enough or not?
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whosroundisitanyway added 16:53 - May 3 There's players same age or younger ripping it up in the premier. Is that down to more forward thinking managers I wonder?
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jas0999 added 17:11 - May 3 Good news. Monty in particular looks like a very decent prospect. Digby just goes to show how poor our recruitment strategy has been this season. Another not good enough sadly.
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Seasider added 17:24 - May 3 According to my calculations that's 14 being released or going back to parent clubs;but expect a few more yet. Think club needs to make just one marquee signing plus say a couple of others,and utilize the academy more than McCarthy has done so far,although hope he wont be here much longer
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mickeyjb added 17:29 - May 3 An under 18 striker who is 20? Do they have age waivers or am I reading it the wrong way i.e. Former Under 18 striker!
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therein61 added 17:49 - May 3 Good news getting these boys signed up now all we need(clear the dead wood out first including Mick)) is an up and coming manager who will get these guys on the park we have a lot of more than useful youngsters in our club who must be so frustrated having to watch underperforming proper blokes in the 1st team when it is blatantly obvious that Gerard Nash has been teaching them the proper way to play football in the Town tradition! maybe our out of date blinkered leader is a tad worried that his overlords might actually catch on!! now that would make my day/week/month/year!!!!!!!!!!

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PhilTWTD added 17:50 - May 3 mickeyjb I was taking the 'former' as read given his age but have added it!
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BlueandTruesince82 added 18:01 - May 3 Richard Wright has an 18 yr old? I feel old.0
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SonOfSpock added 18:55 - May 3 Maybe Wright jr enjoys playing football instead of warming the bench..
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