On Monday, Harry Cardwell, Lewis Ward, Tennai Watson and Noor Husin - who all helped Royals to last season’s FA Youth Cup semi-final - penned new deals.

Powerful striker Cardwell signed from Hull City last summer and has already represented Scotland under 19s. He was a star of last season’s cup run, bagging goals against Leeds United and Accrington Stanley before scoring a magnificent brace against Liverpool. He ended as the under 18s top scorer and also notched three for the under 21s.

England youth international goalkeeper Lewis Ward has also penned a new deal, having been a regular for the under 18s last term and proving the hero in the penalty shootout win with Crewe Alexandra.

Right back Watson’s 28 starts were more than anyone else made for the under 18s last season, despite the talented youngster only turning 17 in March. Royals have high hopes for his future after he impressed both in attack and defensively last term.

Attacking midfielder Husin scored three times in the under 18s’ league campaign, and also set up George McLennan’s late equaliser against Liverpool in the Youth Cup after coming on as a substitue. Showing impressive character, he then scored his penalty to help Royals into the last four.

Second year scholar Hammad Lawal also signed a new deal and Royals hope the pacy wideman will be one to keep an eye on this season.

Lawal scored his first goal for Royals’ under-18s in a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur last season and later made his under-21 debut despite being only 18.

The quintet’s signings came on the back of a trio of fellow young stars penning new deals last Thursday.

England under 18 international centre back Rob Dickie - a mainstay for Royals under 18s last season who scored in the FA Youth Cup semi-final against Fulham - signed on, along with Scotland youth international McLennan and goalkeeper Dan Lincoln.

Left back McLennan originally signed from Gillingham in April 2012 and started his career as a winger before reverting to defence. The 18-year-old scored in the 4-4 Youth Cup draw with Liverpool at the Madejski Stadium last season.

Lincoln, 19, first joined Royals in 2003 and was a regular for the under 21s last season as they won the Premier League Cup.

Five other stars - Dominic Samuel, Stuart Moore, Shane Griffin, Sean Long and Nana Owusu - all committed their future to the club last Tuesday.

READING’S U21s pre-season friendly clash with Salisbury City on Saturday, July 19 has has been replaced with a trip to Sutton United (3pm ko).