The Blues have secured the futures of two more of their top young players by rewarding defender Markell Foulds and winger Jake Connelly with contracts.

The duo have confirmed their places as part of player-manager David Lynch’s plans and have now been tied to deals at Shawbridge as a reward for their continued progress.

Former Burnley and Salford City youngster Foulds, 19, figured for the Blues as a central defender last season and has since been converted into a right-back in Lynch’s new-look squad.

And after making the breakthrough last term, winger Connelly, 18, has impressed the Blues’ management team since their arrival in the summer.

“We are delighted that both Jake and Markell see this football club as the best place for them to keep on developing in what is the early part of their senior careers," said Lynch, who is successfully moulding the best of the players he inherited with an impressive batch of new signings.

“The players have recognised the club and its director of football have a proven track record of moving young, hungry players into the higher levels of the non-league pyramid and League football and we have no doubt if they keep showing a desire to improve this will be the same for both Jake and Markell.

“The contracts are just reward for their attitude and performances since the start of pre-season”

Foulds scored his first goal for the Blues with an equaliser in Clitheroe’s 2-2 draw against FC United on Monday and director of football Carl Garner is delighted with the Blues’ latest bit of business in keeping another of their leading young players as they build towards the new season.

“Markell has shown a first-class attitude from the first day we walked in the club,” said Garner.

“He trains well every session and he has taken on our challenge of a new position at right-back.

“We looked at his strengths and decided he has what it takes to go a long way in non-league football as a full-back and he has relished the opportunity and is developing into quite a force there already .

“At Clitheroe we will secure and reward our young players that show the right mentality and attitude as David looks to import his own culture and standards.”

Local lad Connelly – an England Colleges international – has already attracted interest from elsewhere but was happy to put pen to paper on a deal with the Blues.

“Jake is such an exciting young talent who has really taken on board the way David wants him to play,” added Garner.

“He comes in with a smile and is growing into a powerful young man through hard work.

“He excites us because he has that ability to drive past people at pace and seeks the space in behind full-backs.

“He has plenty to learn but wants to do well and takes information on board. There is plenty of interest already from higher up the game in Jake and with hard work he has a real chance.”

To watch an interview with Markell on his new deal, click HERE