Derby County boss Billy Davies will plead with chairman Adam Pearson for a healthy transfer budget for the winter market.

He said: "There will be transfer fees involved. This is not the Championship, this is the Premier League and to sustain a challenge you have got to spend."

Asked if the club faced a race against time, Davies replied: "Not really. It is like the last transfer window, you have to put your money where your mouth is.

"To get a player in, especially at this level, you know there is going to be competition. You don't go for players at this level and not have competition.

"To beat that competition it will take decent transfer fees and contracts."