OXFORD United have offered professional contracts to three of their most promising second-year scholars.

Goalkeeper Jack Stevens, full back Miles Welch-Hayes and striker George Jeacock have the chance to take up one-year deals with the club.

They join centre back Canice Carroll, who signed a professional contract earlier this season.

Stevens and Jeacock have been on the bench for the first team this season, while Welch-Hayes has helped Banbury United finish second while on loan in the Evo-Stik Division 1 South & West.

Herald Series:

  • Jack Stevens in the warm-up at Plymouth Argyle last month

Michael Appleton, United’s head coach, said: “All of them are very talented but you have to have the right attitude as well.

“They now have a chance to keep working, train and be around the first team every day, and impress us even more over a longer period of time.”

But Lewis Hayden, Seth Humphries, Cian McCormack, Kieran Diaz-Benitez, Drew Ricketts and Luke Hastings have been released.

In a joint statement, youth team coaches Leon Blackmore-Such and Andy Whing said: “It was a very tough week for us because we had to tell the other second year scholars that we couldn’t take them on.

“That is a horrible job but we would like to thank Lewis Hayden, Seth Humphries, Cian McCormack, Kieran Diaz-Benitez, Drew Ricketts and Luke Hastings for their outstanding contributions over the last two years.

“I am sure they will be determined to prove us wrong, and we will monitor their progress and do all we can to help them in whatever they choose to do next.”

Herald Series:

  • Miles Welch-Hayes (right) has impressed while on loan at Banbury United