BILLY Davies will start work on building his Nottingham Forest side for next season by taking the first steps towards signing Chris Gunter and Dexter Blackstock permanently.

The Reds completed their Championship campaign with a flourish, by beating relegated Southampton 3-1.

But Davies (above) is already looking to the future and will this week meet with the club hierarchy to discuss transfers.

And he has already put the wheels in motion when it comes to adding striker Blackstock and defender Gunter to his squad permanently. The players are likely to cost around £2m each.

"I am going to meet with the board this week and discuss things," said Davies.

"I would like to start to work with a team that can be together for three or four years. I want to build a team for the future, work with players for months and years, to develop a team over a period of time rather than having to rely on loans and chopping and changing.

"If I had the option of taking Gunter permanently I would do so. But if his club say no, I would be delighted to take him on a season-long loan.

"In an ideal world, I want to make permanent signings but there may be one or two we have to take on long-term loans.

"We want to bring good human beings to the club, players with the right attitude and spirit.

"Chris has that in abundance. He can also play in several positions and he has fitted into the dressing room brilliantly.

"He epitomises the type of player we want to bring in. We have to approach Spurs and see if it is a possibility.

"We have touched base with QPR with regard to Dexter. We are trying to find out about fees and such like. The conversation has begun."

Davies will also attempt to bring keeper Lee Camp back to the City Ground from the London side.

"Paul Smith has been brilliant in the last five games," he said. "But right through the side we have to have equal quality and two players in every position."