Dougie Freedman has admitted that Nottingham Forest may lose at least one of their star players before the end of the transfer window on Tuesday, according to HITC Sport.

Freedman could still lose key players

Forest have found themselves under a lot of pressure to keep hold of their star players after a number of bids have been made by Premier League and Sky Bet Championship clubs for the likes of Michail Antonio, Michael Mancienne and Jack Hobbs.

Manager Freedman has confirmed that his mind is not yet made up in regards to selling the club's best players.

Antonio has been subject to a bid from West Ham United - reportedly in the region of £4m including a loan deal for Matt Jarvis - but the London side's efforts to persuade Forest into a deal have broken down.

Fulham have also reportedly made a bid for versatile centre-back Michael Mancienne, whilst Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers remain interested in ex-Hull City defender Hobbs.

With increasing interest in players that most Forest fans feel are irreplaceable, the club are under increased pressure to sell their star players.

Additionally, Forest's task will be made significantly harder if the players in question are keen on a move away from the City Ground.

A poor, lethargic performance from Antonio against Cardiff at the weekend has triggered rumours that he is no longer happy at the East Midlands club.

There is no doubt that he is a player of real quality and, also, that it will be difficult for the club to deflect interest from Premier League clubs that are keen to acquire the 25-year-old's services.

However, Forest are working hard to bring players in before the end of the transfer window.

This is a task made difficult by the transfer embargo currently imposed on the club that means they are unable to buy players unless there is no transfer fee involved.

Forest are clearly in a difficult position as they look to bolster their attacking options as the season rolls on.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after his side's 2-1 defeat to Cardiff on Saturday, Freedman highlighted Forest's fears and said: “We can’t spend any money. So we are going to have to look at loans and brace ourselves if any bids come in for our players.

“For the last three or four weeks we’ve had bids coming in. People are looking at us in a very vulnerable financial state right now with this embargo and are looking to try their luck."

However, Freedman is keen to stand firm when facing bids from other clubs unless Forest are likely to get a good deal from a sale.

He stated: “We are bracing ourselves for, probably higher bids than we have right now. These bids have not been accepted and we’ll embrace whatever comes back, if anything does.

“We’ve not turned down any bids. Right now we have got the bids on the table and we will decide as a football club when we go back and what we do.”

“If I was to sell a player we would comfortably be out [of the transfer embargo], done, job done. But I have got to weigh up these wonderful fans.”

Keen to please the Nottingham Forest faithful, yet keen to be sensible when dealing with the club's difficult financial situations, Dougie Freedman has a tough job on his hands. What remains clear, however, is that transfer deadline day will be eventful on the River Trent.

Forest fans! Who do you want to keep at your club? Would you be disappointed if your star players were sold? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!