SAINTS have made a transfer deadline double swoop for Derby defender Danny Higginbotham and Nottingham Forest captain David Prutton.

Both Higginbotham, 24, and midfielder Prutton, 21, were at St Mary's today finalising deals subject to medicals that could see them in line to face Manchester United tomorrow. They were expected to be officially unveiled this afternoon for a combined total in the region of £4m.

Derby had already confirmed they had received an improved offer from Saints for defender Higginbotham late yesterday, said to be worth £1.5m.

Two bids had already been made by Saints for the versatile defender during the January transfer window - but both had been turned down by the cash-strapped first division club.

England Under-21 international Prutton emerged as the second target and was set to join for around £2.5m.

Prutton is one of the highest-rated players outside the Premiership, having risen through the ranks at Forest to become the team's captain. He is primarily a right-sided midfielder but is equally comfortable in the centre - and has also slotted in at the back when needed.

Saints boss Gordon Strachan was keen to strengthen his squad after losing Imants Bleidelis, Kleber Chala, Tahar El Khalej and now Neil Moss, who was released today, during the transfer window.

Higginbotham joined Derby from Manchester United for £2m in 2000 and, although he started out as a left-back, he has played in every position across the back four. The 6ft 2in player is Derby's current player of the year and previously appeared six times for Manchester United during the 1999-2000 season.

The duo will join Argentinian winger Federico Arias as Saints' second and third signings during the transfer window.