For Nottingham Forest supporters the 2017/18 campaign really can't end soon enough and the sooner the summer arrives, the sooner the club can get to work on building a squad capable of challenging for the top half at the very least next season.

Forest have been goal shy to say the least this season whilst they have also found some difficulties with keeping clean sheets, although the latter aspect has been rectified to a certain extent under the management of Aitor Karanka.

One man who has impressed in recent months is Danny Fox and his performances were recently rewarded with a new one-year deal to see him remain at the club beyond the end of this season.

Fox has performed brilliantly in the side of late and his performances have contributed to the team becoming a little more robust at the back.

If the Reds are to challenge next season, however, they will surely look to sign a more natural central defender and Football League World writer Lee Clarke looks at four players who would resemble an upgrade on Fox...

The Wigan Athletic man has been in scintillating form for the Latics this season and it remains to be seen whether or not the club can keep hold of him ahead of next season.

The 25-year-old would represent a class signing for Nottingham Forest and his aerial ability would offer the Reds something that has perhaps been lacking at times during the 2017/18 campaign.

The ex-Forest defender was close to an emotional return to the City Ground back in January but the deal was pulled at the eleventh hour by current club Hull City.

Dawson is likely to remain a target for boss Aitor Karanka during the forthcoming transfer window and his leadership and experience would be invaluable to an extremely young Forest side.

It would be no surprise at all if Forest used their owners links with Olympiakos to lure Spanish defender Botia to the City Ground during the summer.

The 29-year-old Spaniard has played 29 times for the Greek side this season and if Forest can tempt the player to the Championship it would represent a real coup for the Reds.

The big Danish defender looks set to leave Brentford in the summer when his contract expires and Forest would be wise to get themselves at the front of the queue to secure his signature.

The powerful stopper will have no shortage of suitors when his contract winds down and any Championship club that can lure him would be showing a real statement of intent.

Nottingham Forest fans, would you welcome these players to the club? Let us know in the comments below!!!