SIX Southend United youngsters have signed professional contracts.

Winger Terrell Egbri, striker Matt Rush, right-back Rob Howard, midfielder O'Shane Stewart, left-back Ide Osimeh and defender Miles Mitchell-Nelson have all put pen to paper on year long deals.

The contracts also include the option of a further 12 months.

Here Blues' academy manager Ricky Duncan tells Echosport all about another promising batch of youngsters.

TERRELL EGBRI: “People shouldn’t worry about Terrell’s size. He’s a tenacious player  and has a real work ethic both going forward and getting back.

"Anyone who has watched him will know he will run 70 yards to get a block in and then run the other way.

"He’s unbelievable in that sense but we are looking for him to have better quality in the final third and that’s what he has to improve on.

"That’s his next step but I really like him because of his work ethic and he’s quick. He’s got good pace.”

MATT RUSH: “Matt is a good little player and he’s good around the box.

"He’s got good movement in the last third and makes better runs playing off people.

"He’s got a finish on him and he’s always been a goalscorer all the way through the age groups.

"I’m quite excited with him and if he can find his feet quickly and have someone taking him on a daily basis with his finishing you might see something.”

ROB HOWARD: “I’m pleased for Rob.

"He was with us as a boy but went to Arsenal when he was 14.

"He went to Colchester after being released by Arsenal but I brought him in to push Elvis and he has done.

"He really got on his coat-tails and put in some really good performances last year for the 21s.

"He was a central midfielder but he’s at right-back now.

"He’s a good signing because he’s different to Elvis.

"He’s not going to bomb down the wings but he’s solid and I’m pleased for him.”

O'SHANE STEWART: “O’Shane is an athletic boy and he gets around the middle of the pitch really well.

"Technically he’s improving all the time and he’s starting to fill out even more.

"He’s still got another couple of years in him in terms of growth and he’s going to be a big, big central midfield player.

"This year will be a good learning curve for him to be in and around it.

"I think he’s one that will come through in the future but he needs to be in and around it now for that to happen.”

IDE OSIMEH: “Ide is very similar to Elvis.

"He’s tall and has a lot of belief in himself.

"He’s very athletic and is another boy who can get up and down the pitch which I like.

"He just needs to work on his quality in the final third.

"He’s another one we want to be in and around people like Tom Clifford who have also come through and understand what it takes.”

MILES MITCHELL-NELSON: "Miles is an out and out defender.

"Anyone who has seen him knows he’s a big strong lad.

"He will go and try and win things but sometimes he wants to win it all the time and he has to learn when he can’t do that.

"That will come with experience but he’s a kid who wants to learn and he’s a good signing in that area."