Northampton manager Stuart Gray has handed right-back Ritchie Jones and midfielder Greg Taylor their first professional contracts at Sixfields.The 17-year-olds saw fellow youth team graduate Alex Dyer mark his first league start for the Cobblers with the winner against Luton on Saturday and Gray has challenged them to also work their way into his first team.

He said: "Both deserve the contracts which recognise the hard work, commitment and progress they have shown throughout the last couple of seasons.

"The hard work starts now for them and Alex Dyer. Earning your first professional contract is hard enough, but staying in the professional game is even harder and now they have to push on and continue to learn and develop.

"We have shown that we are willing to give opportunities to young players if they are prepared to earn them."

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