Nottingham Forest boss Martin O'Neill is gearing up for a summer of change at the City Ground with the club looking to make progress following a positive end to the season.

O'Neill has struggled to transform the fortunes of the Reds since his arrival in January, but they secured back-to-back wins in their final two matches of the season to provide hope for next term.

The Forest squad is now likely to be re-shuffled significantly during the summer months, with O'Neill now having time to make his mark on the side.

The club's retained list revealed that Stephen Henderson and Jamie Ward have been released, but there remains a large contingent of players who the club still need to shift.

But O'Neill has already expressed his intent to revamp the squad by refusing to extend the loan services of Wolves striker Leo Bonatini, who has failed to make an impact at the club.

The striker joined on loan from Nuno Espirito Santo's side in January after failing to make the grade in the Premier League, but he managed just five league appearances under O'Neill.

Forest fans would have had high expectations of the striker following his impressive 12-goal haul during Wolves' Championship-winning season, but he failed to repeat these heroics at the City Ground.

Given the Brazilian's impressive Championship record, Forest might have been tempted to gamble on him this summer in the hope that a full pre-season would improve his performances next term.

However, O'Neill has clearly made his influence count by pulling the plug on any potential deal for the 25-year-old who doesn't fit into the Irishman's playing style.

Bonatini lacks the physicality to lead the line in O'Neill's team, with the Forest manager's demands being very different to that of his former boss at Wolves.

The forward clearly did not display the attributes during his time at the City Ground for O'Neill to rely on him next season. It should be an encouraging sign for Forest fans that O'Neill is determined to put his stamp on proceedings at the club.

There are some Reds' fans who will have reservations about O'Neill, but if he is to remain at Forest this summer, it is crucial that the playing staff is capable of meeting his requirements.