Young Worcestershire batsmen David Wheeldon and teenager Jack Manuel have signed two-year contracts at New Road.

And fast bowler Richard Jones has been awarded an extended one-year deal.

"David has scored nearly 1000 runs in the Second XI," said coach Steve Rhodes. "Jack Manuel is an aggressive batsman who has just finished school.

"As for Richard, he came through a difficult winter but has shown strength of character and his recent career-best against Warwickshire was heartening."

Left-hander Manuel, 18, born and bred in Warwickshire, was part of this summer's England Under-19s side and, like Wheeldon, has played for Staffordshire in the Minor Counties Trophy.

Staffordshire-born Wheeldon, 20, made his first-class debut for Worcestershire against Oxford UCCE in April.

He has since played in two Championship away matches, against Yorkshire and Durham.

He did not bat in the rain-affected game at Headingley in May, then made 7 and 0 at the Riverside against Durham at the end of June.

Stourbridge-born Jones, 22, who made his second team debut for Worcestershire in 2004, played for England in the Under-19s World Cup in 2006.

He then made his first-class debut the following summer against Loughborough UCCE only to be dogged by a back injury.

He has now taken 12 wickets in first-class cricket, his best figures of 4-66 having come in his most recent appearance against Warwickshire at New Road earlier this month.

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