NORTH End have announced that three of this years six youth scholars have been given professional contracts.

Michael Keane, was given a pro contract last season and has already become a first team regular, before his scholarship was complete, but he has been joined by Joe O'Neill and Tony Hallam, who have been offered one year deals at Deepdale.

O'Neill, a Blackburn-born striker, has been the youth teams top scorer for the last two years and has already been involved in the first team squad, although never making the 16 - and he has the number 29 squad number.

Tony Hallam, of Ormskirk and the youth team's skipper, is a central defender who missed a couple of months earlier this season after breaking his collar bone, but he has impressed since his return and has been offered a one-year contract.

Three players have been released, however, with midfielders Lee Madin and Remo Nesa and left-back Adam Douglas all searching for a new club away from Deepdale.

Assistant Head of Youth Simon Davey said: "To get three scholars though in any age group in to the professional ranks is a good return.

"Fortunately we have got three out of six this season with Joe O'Neill and Tony Hallam being offered professional contracts last week in addition to Michael Keane.

"A lot of the fans will already have seen Michael this season performing for the first team and becoming a regular member of the side. We at youth development would like to wish Tony and Joe all the best for their future at the club and hopefully they can follow in Michael's footsteps in gaining first team experience next season.

"Unfortunately there are three lads we aren't taking on; Adam Douglas, Remo Nesa and Lee Madin and we would like to wish them all the best for the future and thank them for their hard work over the last three years. I am sure if they can put their minds to it they'll secure themselves employment in the game."

North End Manager Kelham O'Hanlon added his support to the new lads: "We are giving Joe and Tony the opportunity to step up to first team level. They have already done very well to achieve a contract, but now the hard work begins and they have to try and get themselves in and around the first team.

"We will give them every opportunity to show their worth but at the end of the day it is up to the individuals to prove they are good enough. We wish them every look and success."