SEAN O'Driscoll took a giant step towards keeping his emerging young squad together when four of Cherries' rising stars agreed to sign new contracts yesterday.

Youth team graduates Carl Fletcher, Karl Broadhurst and James Hayter, together with new fans' favourite Wade Elliott, all put pen to paper on improved three-year deals.

The highly-rated quartet, who have all firmly established themselves as first-team regulars this season, have pledged their long-term futures to Cherries until 2004.

Cherries boss O'Driscoll said: "The four of them all deserve these improved contracts and we have kept within our wage structure to sign them.

"When we said we wanted to keep the squad intact, it wasn't just an idle boast and we will do our best to make sure all the players are here for next season.

"Three of these players are products of our youth policy and Wade was signed from Bashley. They are all local boys and keen to do well for this club.

"People say that money is the all-important factor in football, but determination, attitude and honesty don't cost a penny and these lads have got those qualities in abundance.

"A number of experienced players left this club at the end of last season which gave others the chance and these four have grasped their opportunities with both hands.

"They have all shown they have got the ability to perform at this level and now we want them to go on to bigger and better things, hopefully with Bournemouth."

Fletcher, Hayter and Broadhurst, who came through the youth ranks under O'Driscoll, all had 12 months of their existing deals to run, while Elliott was out of contract in the summer.

The quartet, who all signed professional forms under Mel Machin, have made rapid progress this season and played starring roles in Cherries' surge up the Division Two table.

O'Driscoll added: "Karl Broadhurst has been here since he was 12 and was a right-winger when I first watched him. His biggest assets are his never-say-die attitude and his commitment.

"Carl Fletcher has formed one of the best central midfield partnerships in the division with Richard Hughes and is always capable of scoring goals. He has also started to channel his aggression in the right way and is a very determined character.

"James Hayter is a natural goalscorer who just needs to have a bit more self belief. He has the capability to get into double figures every season, as he has shown this season.

"Wade has done superbly and has a great deal of natural ability. He still has a lot to learn, but has shown recently what an exciting player he is going to be."