Steve Clarke is planning to bolster his West Bromwich Albion ranks over the summer and has warned potential suitors off his key men.
The Baggies boss claims it would take 'a fortune' to lure any of his star turns away from The Hawthorns, with it his intention to strengthen ahead of the 2013/14 campaign.
He believes 'three or four' additions would help to take West Brom forward and is hoping to carry out his transfer business as quickly as possible when the window re-opens.
Clarke told the Birmingham Mail: "It's difficult to speculate how many players will come because you don't know how many clubs are going to try to take some of your players.
"At the moment, looking at the squad, if we were to bring in three or four that would be enough - but things can change.
"Our players aren't going to be cheap. I don't think anyone would be wise to come for any of our players because they will cost a fortune."
He added: "In an ideal world we'd get early signings. The early signing last summer was Ben Foster and the other ones came in over the course of pre-season.
"As long as we get to the start of pre-season and we've improved the squad, as and when they come in is irrelevant really.
"We run with a small squad but we run with a good squad and you have to use them well. The experienced players are really important at this club."
