Newcastle United top table of January big spenders after £29million outlay

After years of demanding that owner Mike Ashley splashes the cash, fans can have no complaints, after he sanctioned the spending of £29million on new players.

Manager Steve McClaren has added Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea City and Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur to his relegation-threatened squad, at a cost of £12million each.

He also recruited £5million midfielder Henri Saivet from Bordeaux, and striker Seydou Doumbia from Roma on loan.

The outlay would have been even higher if the Magpies had been successful with a club record-busting £21million bid for West Brom striker Saido Berahino, who has stayed at The Hawthorns, despite interest from United, Tottenham and Stoke.

Winger Florian Thauvin has returned to Marseille on loan until the end of the season, while Shane Ferguson's loan to Millwall has been made permanent, as have Gael Bigiramana's switch to Coventry City and Mike Williamson's stay at Wolves.

Youngsters Kyle Cameron and Lubo Satka have also been sent out on loan to gain experience, both joining York City.