Cliftonville hitman Chris Scannell will remain at the Reds for a further 12 months after agreeing a new contract extension.

The 23-year-old Belfast dental student, who is still recovering from major knee surgery, was out of contract this summer.

With a host of Irish League clubs chasing Scannell, Cliftonville boss Marty Tabb was unsure if the prolific stiker would remain at Solitude.

But the club agreed terms on an extended contract with the player during discussions on Wednesday night.

Scannell, who scored 20 goals last season, has just returned home from an extended holiday in Australia but will not be fit for first-team football for about two months.

Talented defender

Tabb will be delighted with the news, which follows the signing of a new deal by Chris's versatile brother Ronan.

Striker Gavin Treanor has also put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension.

And Tabb is still trying to arrange an agreement with young full-back Ciaran Donaghy.

The talented defender leaves for England in mid-September to begin a university degree course but the Reds boss is hopeful he can fly back to Northern Ireland for matches.