TABLE-TOPPING Derby County will arrive at St Mary's this weekend boasting SEVEN new players signed during the January transfer window.

Rams boss Billy Davies splashed out £3.7m last month to bring in Hull striker Craig Fagan, Blackburn defender Jay McEveley, Wigan winger Gary Teale and midfielders Dave Jones and Stephen Pearson from Manchester United and Celtic respectively.

Davies yesterday brought in former Manchester City striker Jon Macken on a free from Crystal Palace and West Ham full-back Tyrone Mears on loan.

Davies managed Mears during his time at Preston.

Only two Championship managers spent more than Davies during the transfer window.

Both Birmingham's Steve Bruce and Sunderland's Roy Keane spent £4m.

Bruce splashed out £3m on Luton's former Pompey striker Rowan Vine - the most expensive player signed by a Championship club during the window.

But the Blues yesterday lost star defender Matthew Upson to West Ham for £6m.

Another of Saints' promotion rivals, Stoke, also said a relucant farewell to a defensive favourite when skipper Michael Duberry joined Reading.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was the busiest Championship manager during the window.

While Saints boss George Burley only brought in one player during the month, Pulis added an amazing NINE to his squad.

Only one of them, Liam Lawrence, cost a fee while Pulis also brought in five loan signings - though Salif Diao, Andy Griffin and Lee Hendrie had all initially been on loan at the Brittania Stadium before Christmas.

Pulis also made ex-Saints midfielder Rory Delap's loan spell from Sunderland permanent during the month.

Full list of all Championship transfer window ins and outs in today's Daily Echo