CHERRIES have triggered an option to extend the contracts of both Jaidon Anthony and Jordan Zemura.

The exciting young duo have enjoyed scintillating breakthrough campaigns this season.

After playing bit-part roles last campaign, the pair have played pivotal roles under Scott Parker this term, helping Cherries up to second in the table.

Anthony had featured in every Championship match this season, prior to missing Saturday's win over Stoke City due to injury.

Only Dominic Solanke and Philip Billing have netted more goals than Anthony's seven for the club in 2021-22.

Zemura, who represented Zimbabwe in January's Africa Cup of Nations, has made 23 appearances for Cherries this term.

Remarkably, he has only been on the losing side on one occasion.

Both Anthony and Zemura, who also live together, were set to see their contracts run out in the summer.

But Cherries have moved now to trigger a one-year extension for each of the 22-year-olds.

Boss Parker revealed in October Cherries had held “early conversations” with Zemura over a new deal, but did not want it to become a distraction.

Speaking in December, Parker confirmed talks regarding the futures of Zemura and Anthony, would be “parked” until nearer the summer.

Zemura’s form at Cherries has seen him linked with the likes of Crystal Palace, Newcastle United and Leicester City during the course of the season.

Asked at the end of January if his contract situation had been on his mind at the end, Zemura told the Daily Echo: “No, not at all. At the end of the day, I think the gaffer was right.

“When we had the chat about it, it’s true, I’m still so young.

“So having talks about something like that is a bit like, ‘what do I worry about? Do I worry about this?’.

“So, for me, I just listen to the gaffer. I’ve listened to him since he’s first come in and just left it. Whatever comes, we’ll just revisit it when we need to.

“But right now it’s about playing and getting the job done.”