EIGHT of Southend United’s talented youngsters have been handed contracts to be part of the Shrimpers’ under 21 squad next season.

Goalkeeper Josh Bexon, defenders Abdul Salami and Sonny Coutts, midfielders Harry Phillips, Joe Bedford and Renei Batlokwa plus strikers Dan Walker and Norman Wabo will all be moving up from this term’s under 18 team.

And Blues’ head of youth Ricky Duncan is delighted to be keeping them at the club.

“This is a really good group and it’s pleasing to have eight of them moving up because it will put us in good stead for next year,” said Duncan.

“The quality of the boys coming through now is testimony to the hard work which has gone on here in the last 10 years.

“A lot of the boys have been here since they were nine, they know each other and the club really well and we’ve had a decent season.

“We lost out to a decent Luton side to finish second in the league but there is a lot of talent in this group and it’s exciting for the future.”

The eight players will now work closely with the club’s under 21 coach Kevin Maher.

And Duncan feels the former Blues midfielder will help the teenagers fulfil their potential.

“We have a settled coach in Kevin now and it’s brilliant,” said Duncan.

“He knows the club inside out and we can have a better pre-season next year to help these boys and hopefully push for places in the first team which is what we all want.”

Among those being given a new deal is skipper Sonny Coutts, who has been out since October with a knee injury he sustained against Bournemouth.

And the contract has given the Rayleigh based centre-back a huge boost as he bids to regain full fitness.

“It’s one of the worst times to get injured because it’s such an important year but Rick and the manager have kept their faith in me and I’m over the moon about it all,” said Coutts.

“I’ll keep on working hard and hopefully I’ll be fit for the start of pre-season to be able to join in with the rest of the lads in the under 21s.”

Coutts featured for both Blues’ under 18 and under 21s side at the start of the season before being forced to the sidelines.

And he is looking forward to featuring more regularly in the older of the age-groups.

“Physically there’s a big difference to playing under 18s and the games are more controlled so it’s a good test but we have the technical qualities in our team to be able to do well,” said Coutts.

“It’s another year in the game as well and with us all moving up together we can create a real team against strong sides so it’s really good.”