Mark Warburton: Nottingham Forest youngsters are the 'heartbeat' of the club

Mark Warburton kept Nottingham Forest up last season with a final-day win over Ipswich Town

Manager Mark Warburton says Nottingham Forest's young players are the lifeblood of the football club.

Striker Tyler Walker signed a new deal until 2021 this week, while defender Joe Worrall penned a long-term contract in October.

Warburton told BBC Radio Nottingham: "They're the heartbeat of the club.

"The young players coming through and the young players being brought in, they're the ones we want to build the team around."

Academy products goalkeeper Jordan Smith and midfielder Ben Osborn are first-team regulars, while forward Ben Brereton and midfielder Matty Cash - who has just returned from a knee injury - are also a major part of Warburton's Championship squad.

"Never under estimate the role of our senior players, I have said that many times," added Warburton.

"But it is about young, hungry players committed, keen to develop, keen to learn, keen to develop in the game with their personal and team ambition."