FOUR under-18 second year scholars have been awarded new 12-month contracts by Burnley.

Midfielders Christian Hull, Bradley Jackson and Brandon Wilson and striker Ntumba Massanka have all signed one-year extensions to remain at Turf Moor.

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Attacker Jamie Frost has already been retained after signing a two-year professional deal just 12 months into his two-year scholarship, while midfielder Andreas Bianga has had his scholarship extended until December 2015 due to an ankle injury sustained last season which has halted his progress.

Jason Blake, academy manager at Turf Moor, insists the hard work must continue as the players move into the next chapter of their Burnley career, and challenged them to impress this year and earn another new deal 12 months down the line.

“The deals are a great indication in how the players have applied themselves these past few years,” he said.

“They will come back now for pre-season and we now challenge them to move through the system and the aim is for them to get into the first team as quickly as possible.

“They have another 12 months now to impress and we hope we announce they will be rewarded with a new deal again this time next year.”

It wasn’t all good news for the second year scholars though, with defender Waqas Azam not being offered a new contract.

Blake said the Clarets would do all they could to help find Azam a new club.

“Waqas has shown fantastic commitment to the club since he joined at the age of nine,” he said. “He has shown great attitude on and off the field, leading on the pitch as captain, playing in numerous positions when called upon and it’s always a shame when a journey ends.

“Burnley Football Club will do as always all we can to assist Waqas in finding another club and we thank him for his efforts and wish him every success in his future career.”