FIVE of Cardiff City's young guns have signed new contracts with the club after making huge strides.

Byron Anthony, Joe Ledley, Nicky Fish, Danny Parslow and Cameron Jerome have all signed extensions to their contracts.

The usual deal with the youth players is a three- year scholarship, followed by a one-year professional contract and it is that one-year which is likely to have been extended.

All five of them were on duty in varying capacities during Tuesday's Carling Cup win at Bournemouth and they continued to make an impression on their manager.

"When we went into extra- time at Bournemouth I was wondering if we had enough on the pitch in terns of experience and staying power," said Lennie Lawrence.

"But credit to them, they did it. Cameron Jerome came on and scored, Joe Ledley was outstanding from start to finish, Byron Anthony started shakily but steeled very well."

Former Wales striker Dean Saunders is now believed to be the latest name on the shortlist to succeed Mark Hughes as national team boss.

Saunders recently moved from Blackburn to Newcastle as Graeme Souness' head coach.