West Brom manager Darren Moore believes it is vital that the club holds on to its best players this summer if they want an immediate return to the Premier League.
Moore was handed the reigns at The Hawthorns on a permanent basis on Friday after a successful spell as caretaker-manager at the end of the season.
The former Baggies defender lost just once during his six games in charge, following the sacking of Alan Pardew in April, but was unable to keep the club in the top flight despite their strong finish to the campaign.
West Brom now face the prospect of losing some of their best talent this summer, with Jonny Evans, Nacer Chadli and Salomon Rondon likely to attract interest, but Moore is determined to keep his squad together for a campaign in the second tier.
“It is important. We’ve got some fantastic players that are still contracted to the football club,” he said.
“It is really important for me to get hold of those players and have a chat with those players because for the football club, it’s vital that we do so. As many as we possibly can keep.
“Whatever business is done at the football club, it will be done in the best interests of West Bromwich Albion.”
Moore, who was named Premier League Manager of the Month for April, says he will speak to his players on an individual basis to see if they have the correct mentality for a “gruelling” season in the Championship.
“I can only ascertain that when I speak to them as individuals,” said Moore. “One thing I will say is, they are contracted to the club.
“They have signed a contract that binds them to the football club for whatever period that is.
“I will speak to them as individuals and see where we go from there. I can understand if there is interest in them because they are good players.”