NO ONE has been busier in the transfer market than Barnsley boss Simon Davey this summer.In fact, Davey has signed no fewer than 11 new players over the last three months, and he warns that there might be a few more to come before the transfer deadline of August 31.

By Carl Marston

NO ONE has been busier in the transfer market than Barnsley boss Simon Davey this summer.

In fact, Davey has signed no fewer than 11 new players over the last three months, and he warns that there might be a few more to come before the transfer deadline of August 31.

Certainly a few fresh faces were needed, following a nervous escape from relegation last season. The Tykes retained their Championship status for a second season by the skin of their teeth, following promotion via the play-offs the previous May.

The Yorkshire club looked in desperate trouble when they sacked previous boss Andy Ritchie, reportedly for not spending enough on new players!

His successor, Davey, took time to settle and the U's coasted to a 3-0 win at Oakwell on February 10. It was Colchester's most comfortable away performance of the campaign, inspired by goals from Karl Duguid, Kevin Watson and substitute Hogan Ephraim. Only Duguid will play today. Watson is on the comeback trail following an Achilles injury and Ephraim is currently on loan at QPR.

The Tykes eventually finished 20th in the table. They avoided the dreaded drop thanks to three wins on the bounce in April, against Birmingham (1-0), at Southend (3-1) and against Crystal Palace (2-0). That amounted to nine crucial points, because they finished eight points clear of third-from-bottom Southend in the final analysis.

Of the 11 new recruits, the latest two are both foreign imports - German keeper Heinz Muller and Danish striker Kim Christensen. Muller is a 6ft 6ins custodian who was the regular No. 1 at Norwegian side Lillestrom for two years. He made his Barnsley debut in the Carling Cup 2-1 win over League Two visitors Darlington on Tuesday night, replacing Nick Colgan in goal. Colgan had leaked four goals in the opening defeat 4-1 home defeat by Coventry City.

Davey said: “It's very pleasing when all the hard work pays off and we get a player we have been chasing for eight weeks. He will be a fine addition.”

Christensen, meanwhile, was signed for an undisclosed fee from Danish side OB on Wednesday, having previously played for the likes of Dutch side FC Twente, Danish club Brondby and German side Hamburger SV. The 27-year-old Dane could well make his Tykes debut at Layer Road this afternoon.

The arrival of Christensen boosts an already cosmopolitan strike-force department at Oakwell. He joins a Hungarian, a Peruvian and a Nigerian!

Istvan Ferenczi, a Hungarian international, joined Barnsley on transfer deadline day at the end of January, and made his home debut in the defeat by Colchester. He went on to score six goals in 16 league appearances and certainly was a key figure in the club's successful bid for survival.

Miguel Mostto arrived from Peru last month. Another international striker, who has earned 10 caps for his country, he topped the Peruvian goalscoring charts in both 2005 and 2006.

Kayode Odejayi, meanwhile, is a Nigerian target man who has played against the U's during his time at Cheltenham Town. He signed from the Robins for £200,000 in June.