Four Academy players earn Birmingham City deals

Birmingham City have already begun preparing their squad for next season after offering one-year contracts to four of their Academy squad.

The Blues still have an active interest in the Championship playoff race with six games remaining, but manager Lee Clark has revealed that he is keen for Nick Townsend, Reece Hales, James Fry and Charlee Adams to make an impact once they return from the summer break.

The 40-year-old told the Birmingham Mail: "I've said to them that they've got a contract and why not, from the end of June when we come back for pre-season, can't they be pushing for a place in the first team because everyone has seen how I've talked the talk but also walked the walk in terms of the young players.

"I've said I'll give young players an opportunity and I have. It's down to them now. I put a 17-year-old (Koby Arthur) on in a massive Midlands derby on Monday ahead of some more senior players."

It was revealed after Monday's defeat to Wolves that Arthur had signed a two-year deal at St Andrew's.