Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman has told the Nottingham Post he will fight to keep hold of key players such as Henri Lansbury and Michail Antonio this summer.

Forest have already had to fend off interest for the two star players in January who have already received interest from Premier League sides, and Freedman firmly believes they must build the team around their key assets.

''It is very important that we try to build a side around certain individuals and that we make sure they are still at the football club. We think very highly of certain players here, who we believe we can build around – and they are certainly two of them.''

Dougie Freedman's side did concede that cuts have to be made to the wage bill of the club, which was around £24 million last year during the last financial year including staff.

Despite this, the former Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers boss was adamant he must be clever in his cuts whilst keeping hold of Lansbury and Antonio.

''I do have a plan and of course I want to keep hold of our best players. ''But we also have to be realistic when it comes to where we are with financial fair play and also what the chairman wants to do as well.''

As a result of the transfer embargo the Reds find themselves in it means they can only make free transfers and loan signings next season.

Freedman is experienced working with limited budgets as he did at Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace and he strongly feels he can thrive on this once again.

''But we have good players here and I have worked in this market before, when it comes to signing players who are on free transfers or on low wages. I am comfortable with that. I am very comfortable, in fact.''

With five games remaining, Forest are now 13 points adrift from the play-offs and the last remaining games will certainly be about finding consistency and stability to continue into next season from where they can mount another promotion push.