ACCRINGTON Stanley's on-loan Stoke City goalkeeper Joe Bursik has signed a new contract with the Potters.

The England Under-20 international has moved ahead of Dimi Evtimov in the pecking order at the Wham Stadium with a string of impressive displays.

Bursik, who has made nine appearances in all competitions for Stanley, has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half-year contract at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes said: “Joe is a player who has made significant progress since joining us from AFC Wimbledon in 2017 and we are delighted he has committed to us until at least the summer of 2023.”

Bursik, who will remain on loan with the Reds until the end of the season, scored the opening penalty in the shoot-out victory over Fleetwood Town in the EFL Trophy earlier this month.

His chances were initially limited with Stanley due to his international involvement clashing with potential chances to play in the Trophy.

But since getting the nod for the 4-1 League One win against Portsmouth on December 14 Bursik hasn't looked back.

"I had a chat with the gaffer earlier on in the season and we said it was a bit of an annoying one, I suppose it’s always an honour to go with your country and it’s not something you can turn down," he said last month.

"It did seem like it got in the way at times, but I just made sure I worked hard on the training pitch and hopefully, it’ll all fall into place as it has.

"I’m happy with how I dealt with the last couple of months with not playing. It is tough when you’re young.

"I’ve moved away from home and it’s the first time I’ve lived on my own. It was a tough one, but I hope I can keep doing what I’m doing."

Elsewhere, Reds youngsters Reagan Ogle and Zehn Mohammed will remain at Southport until the end of the season after their loan deals were extended.

The duo have spent the first half of the campaign at The Pure Stadium, with both of them getting regular game time for The Sandgrounders.

Southport are currently ninth in the Vanarama National League North.

Both defenders signed new deals with the Reds last September, with Ogle's contract running until the summer of 2021 and Mohammed's until later this year.