BILLY Davies wants four or five new signings at Nottingham Forest – to ensure the club can forge an even stronger push for the Premiership this season.

The Scot does not anticipate wholesale changes to his City Ground squad this summer.

But he insists it is important to keep strengthening, as they look to build on their third place finish in the Championship last season.

"I think we are talking about more than two signings in an ideal world, but probably not as many as the nine we made last summer," said Davies.

"Somewhere between the two would probably be ideal for us.

"It is the same with every club. If you want to keep evolving and progressing, then there will always be changes.

"We are not talking about massive changes, but some players will move on and others will be brought in.

"That is natural at every club in the summer.

"We demonstrated that we had a strong squad last season, but we still need to add to it to make sure we are even stronger in the future."

Davies has already confirmed his interest in former loan signing, Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey.

He is also targeting a left sided midfielder – with Cardiff's Peter Whittingham believed to be a target – as well as Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.

Davies is also believed to be interested in adding another striker and a tough-tackling central defender.

"We know there were a few pieces of the jigsaw puzzle missing for us last season and we need to address those still," said Davies. "We needed a couple of additions ideally in January.

"And there are still those positions where we need to add strength in depth.

"But you should always be looking to make your side stronger generally as well.

"Now we probably need more than one or two, if we want to make sure we continue to improve."