The Cherries have offered one year professional deals to Ryan Case, Josh Wakefield, Harrison Gilkes and Alex Moth.

Following injury hit campaigns Jordan Chiedozie and Clive Makoni are also expected to remain at the Seward Stadium after being offered one year extensions to their youth deals.

All six players worked under Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks in the youth team earlier this season, and featured in two FA Youth Cup ties at the Seward Stadium, as well as reserve team fixtures.

They will form a development squad, along with youth team players, which aims to bridge the gap between the youth and first team, while also furthering their studies at Bournemouth University.

Groves, who oversaw his first win as interim manager on Monday, was pleased to be able to offer the youngsters the chance to continue their development at the club.

"I think with myself and Shaun working with the players for the majority of the year it was only right that we had a big say in whether they were given another year," he said.

"We have tried to push the players throughout the year, starting with the youth team in the first half of the season, and then with them going on loan to play men's football. They've furthered that by playing reserve games, and coped well on a number of occasions."

Meanwhile, Billy Maybury, Bradley Strickland, Marco Zocchi, Elliott Ward and Pearce Farren have been released.

Groves explained, "We have made a bigger commitment than most clubs in taking on six boys, but unfortunately it is the end for others. It's always very difficult, but it is part and parcel of football.

"We've given them the opportunity to play men's football which is where they will play next year anyway. Hopefully we have given them an education and a grounding which will help them to a start a career elsewhere."