Nottingham Forest will be hoping to emerge from their current transfer embargo this summer, and look to challenge for honours at the top end of the Sky Bet Championship next season.
A miserable 2015/16 campaign will draw to a close this weekend when the Reds travel to Milton Keynes Dons, with very little likely to stick in the memory of the Forest faithful.
This season has seen more boardroom uncertainty, another managerial casualty and yet another series of unfortunate injury issues, which has been all the more telling given the club’s transfer restrictions.
The club expect to announce a new manager in the coming weeks, with some reports saying it could be before the trip south to Milton Keynes this weekend, but whoever it might be the appointment needs to be spot on this time around.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at FIVE Premier League players who Forest should look to sign to give them the very best chance of a successful season next time around......
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PL STARS!
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Patrick Bamford
It would be really something quite special if the new Nottingham Forest boss, whoever it might be, could lure the Chelsea forward back to the City Ground.
The youngster is unlikely to get a look in at Stamford Bridge once again next season and after finding first-team opportunities hard to come by at both Crystal Palace and Norwich City, a move back to the Championship could be on the cards.
The 22-year-0ld was in great form for Middlesbrough during their run to the Play-Off Final last season and he would be a real coup for Forest should they persuade Chelsea to loan him out once again.
Sam Byram
The former Leeds United man has not seen much first-team action since making a move to West Ham United during the January transfer window, questioning whether or not he will be part of the club’s plans next season.
If he isn’t then I am sure several clubs will line-up to try and sign the versatile performer who can play pretty much anywhere across a football pitch.
Byram netted Leeds’ equaliser at the City Ground back in December and he was a constant threat to the Forest defence throughout.
He had been utilised in a more advanced role by Whites boss Steve Evans, although naturally he is more comfortable in a right-back role – an area which Forest could do with adding some depth.
Ashley Barnes
Whilst the striker has just been part of a side who have won promotion to the Premier League, it is difficult to imagine him getting much game time next season and that could lead to a departure from Burnley.
Barnes has been unlucky with injury problems during his time at Turf Moor and a fresh start could be best for all parties.
Forest will inevitably look to add some goals to their squad next season and it would be unfair to expect too much from Britt Assombalonga from the off, as he himself recovers from his serious injury.
In 141 games with Brighton and Hove Albion the striker netted on 42 occasions, to make him a more than able marksman at Championship level.
Jordan Pickford
When the young Sunderland stopper was recalled from his loan spell at Preston North End it was expected that he might feature more for the first-team, although that hasn’t proved to be the case.
The Black Cats have handed the gloves to Vito Mannone as they look to avoid the drop into the Sky Bet Championship, with Pickford acting as backup to the former Arsenal man.
Another full season on the sidelines is not likely to do the goalkeeper’s chances of development any good at all, with a move back to the second tier a seemingly better option.
Forest are keen to get their young keeper Dimitar Evtimov out on loan themselves but that will all be dependent on whether or not they can find someone to rival Dorus de Vries for the number one spot.
James Wilson
When Manchester United loaned Wilson out to Brighton and Hove Albion they had every intention of him returning to Old Trafford to challenge for a first-team place.
The emergence of Marcus Rashford could have hampered Wilson’s chances of playing regularly for the Red Devils and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him go out on loan again next season.
The striker has netted six goals for Brighton this term with his most recent coming in the 1-1 draw over Derby County on Monday afternoon, to hand Brighton a chance to win automatic promotion with a win over Middlesbrough this weekend.
Forest will look to add a striker and with the club expected to emerge from their transfer embargo this summer, they will hope to have a bit more clout financially as they go about their business in preparation for the 2016/17 season.