Shrewsbury Town youngsters Josh Barlow and Kade Craig have had their contracts extended until the end of the season.
Both Barlow and Craig signed six-month deals after graduating from our academy back in June and have worked hard over the past few months to earn this extension.
Josh Barlow, who turns 19 in just under three weeks, played almost every minute of Shrewsbury's Papa Johns Trophy campaign this season and has featured on the first-team bench on 19 occasions.
The central midfielder captained the under-18s last season after successfully progressing through the youth ranks.
Kade Craig is a left-sided defender who is comfortable both as a left centre-back and a left-back.
The 20-year-old completed his scholarship at Town before making his way to the first team last year.
Kade went out on loan to AFC Telford where he quickly gained a place in the starting 11. Unfortunately, the loan was cut short after the defender dislocated his shoulder in a training session.
He has appeared on Town's first-team bench on 27 occasions and played the full 90 minutes against Wolves under-21s and Stockport County in the Papa Johns Trophy this season.
Town boss Steve Cotterill said:
"I told them on Christmas morning. We extended both of their contracts until the end of the season. They've worked hard and they've very much been part of the squad.
"Josh Barlow has been involved in the past few squads and Kade was before he went out on loan and dislocated his shoulder.
"He had the operation done and he is now working on his rehab. We are hoping he is going to be okay before the end of the season - if that's right we can get him back in training or, potentially, he could go back and finish that loan.
"Josh Barlow has been in and around us for most of the time. It's probably still a little bit early for him but we needed to look after them.
"They're two really, really, nice young men and it was nice to give them an unexpected Christmas present.
"I had all the contracts typed up and brought them into my office on Christmas morning. They signed the contracts and the lads all gave them a big clap so it was a nice Christmas day for them.
"I think Josh Barlow's dad then phoned Dave Longwell and thanked him as well which was really nice.
"I'm pleased for those two young lads and they now know where they are now for the rest of the season"
