Recruits please Allardyce

The 57-year-old manager, who signed a two-year deal with the club last summer, managed to secure the signatures of strikers Ricardo Vaz Te and Nicky Maynard as well as midfielder Ravel Morrison from Manchester United.

The Championship leaders are aiming to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt following their relegation last season.

Former Barnsley frontman Vaz Te has netting 10 times already this season while Maynard scored 45 goals during his four-year stay at Bristol City, meaning Allardyce's men will be boosted up front in their promotion campaign.

"We have done well in the window and I am delighted to welcome Ricardo Vaz Te, Ravel Morrison and Nicky Maynard to the club," he said.

Bolster

"I have been backed by our owners in bringing people in to bolster the club. We have managed to do that and it has turned out very well for us.

"I think Ricardo and Nicky are proven players who can come into the frame straight away as they have been a force with their clubs in this division before.

"We have been a bit short of taking our chances, so hopefully they can add a little bit more to our frontline."

Morrison also arrived on Tuesday, making the switch from Old Trafford after graduating from the Manchester United academy and Allardyce is keen to get the talented but sometimes troubled 19-year-old in action.

"We are also pleased that Ravel has chosen us and we hope that we can develop him quickly into the first team as we have done this season with our other young players," he added.

"They have all got experience, started breaking through, and in doing so they have been putting a little bit of pressure, good pressure, on the older players."