Clubs across the English Football League (EFL) have only a couple of weeks to decide whether or not to release or retain players ahead of next season.
Some clubs in League One have already published their lists of retained players due to their season having already finished; however, the likes of Nottingham Forest are yet to do so as they have one Championship fixture still to be played as well as the play-offs.
There are difficult decisions to be made with many clubs holding extension options on contracts, whilst others have to negotiate a new contract entirely for certain players. The Reds have relied on several loan players under Steve Cooper this season, whilst the contracts of Lewis Grabban, Gaetan Bong and Tobias Figueiredo all expire this summer.
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Grabban is one player who Forest are torn over knowing that he is getting towards the older end of the age spectrum, but that he can also be relied upon to find the back of the net.
"We're not thinking about that at the moment and I'm not sure he is either," said head coach Cooper when asked about Grabban's contract situation.
"We're just really happy with him. I think it's really important we just focus with everybody on today. Take each day as it comes, each game as it comes and each training session as it comes. We know we've got to keep building every single day to become what we want to become.
"I'm not looking too far ahead at the moment. We're just really pleased with him. And he's really pleased with himself - rightly so.”
With that all in mind, these are the key deadlines for Forest and other EFL clubs to abide by...
When do clubs have to notify players?
Clubs must notify players as to whether or not they are being retained by the third Saturday of May which falls on May 21 this year.
Do play-off clubs get an extension?
Clubs involved in the play-offs following that date have until four days after their last match.
When does the EFL publish the official list?
The EFL publishes the list by the second Saturday in June which falls on June 11 this year.
