Wolves extend deals of six players

Wolves have extended the contracts of six homegrown first year professionals who will form the backbone of their reserve team next season.

The club have taken up 12-month options on centre-back Danny Batth and left-back Scott Malone, midfielder David Davis, winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing along with strikers Ashley Hemmings and Sam Winnall while another, John Dunleavy, signed a two-year contract.

Only winger Kyle Bennett has been released.

Manager Mick McCarthy said: "We've made a decision to be patient with them really, because we have got some really good players coming through.

"Danny Batth had a good season at Colchester, Scott Malone had some good experience at Southend, Ashley Hemmings has come back from injury and looks really sharp, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has done well.

"David Davis has done well and further down, I think James Spray has a great future and John Dunleavy is another.

"They're still learning their trade, but all of these lads will form the development team next season – I'm trying to get it so that will be the reserve team.

"Aaron McCarey will be in goal and we'll have Dunleavy, Batth, Jamie Reckord, Malone, Mendez-Laing, Rooney, Davis and Spray, Sam Winnall and Hemmings - a nucleus of a side that we can stick together.

"I think if you can see a fair amount of goodness and potential in them, then it's up to us to nurture that and get the best out of them, as anyone does.

"If they can stick together and be coached by Steve Weaver as a team, that will make a big difference because I've loaned some of them out.

"I will continue to allow them out on loan, if they're playing."

A recent meeting of Premier League clubs failed to resolve the format the top flight reserve league will take next season, but McCarthy is intent on staffing it with youngsters.

Development coach Steve Weaver added: "There has been good progress made in this area in the two years I've been at the club and we've been able to build and develop from the excellent work previously been done.

"Terry Connor has been a particularly source of good advice in this age group, which has been a great help as we continue to put a structure in place."