Colin Todd today praised City youngsters John Swift and Craig Bentham for their sticking power and said: Others would have quit in their position.

The duo were last week handed new one-year deals by the club after featuring during the run-in to the end of the season.

But Todd revealed that the contracts were as much a reward for their attitude off the field and on the training ground as their performances in the heat of first-team action.

While other youngsters like Joe Brown, Joe Colbeck and Tom Penford were let off the leash, the two 21-year-olds had to bide their time patiently.

Bentham eventually got his chance against Scunthorpe on April 1 when he came off the bench at half-time and responded with a superb second-half display which rubber-stamped a central-midfield role for the last six games.

Swift's big break came a fortnight later after Darren Holloway was injured at Brentford. Despite one horror show at Gillingham, where he was subbed early, the determined full back showed the long wait on the sidelines had not blunted his appetite.

"It's been a very difficult season for them in terms of not knowing how the future was going to pan out," said Todd.

"But they have trained extremely well, never ducked any issues and have always responded in a very positive manner.

"I know that some players in their position would have thrown in the towel long before then.

"They've both deserved a contract, not just in terms of getting in the first team but what they've done in training throughout."

Swift's head could have dropped when he was hauled off at the Priestfield Stadium but he bounced back strongly.

Todd added: "That shows the character of the lad. It has happened to other players in the past and they've had to be taken off like that but he has responded to that blow very well.

"He came back in for the next game and did a good job and then, after I left him out for tactical reasons at Barnsley, he played against Nottingham Forest and did well again.

"Craig Bentham has been the same. He has had to bide his time but has come in and not let anyone down, showing a great energy to get around the pitch.

"I made the decision beforehand that they were going to be kept on but obviously they didn't know that. Now they have got that chance and I'm hoping they will kick on again."

Penford has also been offered a one-year deal, while Michael Symes is being given a month-by-month contract for the first three months to prove his fitness.