WORCESTER City manager John Barton is predicting a bright future for three of the club's rising stars.

Barton was speaking after Dean Smith, Dan Parker and Liam McDonald all signed full contracts with the St George's Lane club.

The trio are the first from the club's Football Development squad, set up two years ago, to graduate to full contracts.

Barton said: "The long-term future of all of them is still to be decided, but what we have invested in is a period of time where they can hopefully show further development and progression.

"To get three come through is a fairly high percentage in terms of success, and we feel they have got a chance. We haven't just offered them situations to justify the scheme."

All three players have had a taste of first-team action this season, and were regulars on the substitutes' bench towards the end of the campaign.

Barton feels that being involved with the first team so early can only help their development as footballers.

He added: "They have been around from just before Christmas in the first-team dressing room atmosphere and have picked up little bits and pieces from that.

"It would be nice to think that others could follow in their footsteps, and ultimately we would look for these three to go on and establish themselves."

The City scheme, run in conjunction with Worcester College of Technology, sees the youngsters, under the watchful eye of youth development officer Ray Woods, combine football training and matches with the club's reserve, youth and PASE League teams with academic courses at the college.

The college's assistant principal Terry Dillingham is also delighted with the way the scheme is progressing.

He said: "We all feel that they have made the progress we were looking for. The fact that they have been with the first-team squad speaks volumes for the scheme.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the first intake and are looking forward to seeing it develop over the next few years.

"I have contact with other clubs and colleges and this scheme is up there with the best in the country."