Keegan ready to offer Flood a new contract

MANCHESTER CITY boss Kevin Keegan is set to offer midfielder Willo Flood a new contract.

The 19-year-old, the soccer winner in last season’s Irish Examiner Youth Awards, turned in an impressive performance in only his second appearance for the Blues in Tuesday’s 7-1 Carling Cup hammering of Barnsley, marking the occasion with a well-taken first-half strike.

Keegan has already tied Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips to extended deals.

And Flood is the next player on Keegan’s hit-list, even though the Dubliner is expected to lose his place in the starting line-up for today’s Barclays Premiership encounter with unbeaten league leaders Arsenal.

“We are looking to give Willo a new contract even though he still has a year left on his current one,” said Keegan.

“We could leave it another six months and make doubly sure but Willo deserves it and we have to send a message to all the young players that if they are good enough they will get their reward.

“We have just had Shaun and Joey come through and Willo is the next of about four or five young lads who are making real progress.

“At the moment we are having to lean on our younger players - but that is a good thing.”