Feyenoord have strengthened their ranks ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-table Eredivisie clash at home to PSV Eindhoven with the signing of Stefan Babovic.

The Serbian midfielder has finally had his one-year loan move from Nantes rubber-stamped and the 22-year-old this week joined his new team-mates in training. Babovic told the club's website: "I am glad that I can finally focus on playing for Feyenoord. I have spent most of my time at the embassy in the past couple of days, but I'm delighted that everything is dealt with now.

"I have not had any match action since the possibility of joining Feyenoord came up. I will do my utmost to get fully match-fit in order to prove my worth. It is up to the head coach to decide whether I will play this weekend. I only just arrived at the club. Maybe it is better to get playing time with the reserves first."

Indeed, breaking into the the first team could prove to be a big ask given the Rotterdammers' early-season form. Goal difference is all that keeps Feyenoord off top spot after six matches, their run of four wins and two draws identical to that of both leaders PSV and third-placed FC Twente.

The squad has a lot of quality, especially in midfield. Competition for a spot in the starting XI will be tough, but it is up to me to show that I deserve a starting berth.
Feyenoord new boy Stefan Babovic

"Feyenoord are a great club," added Babovic. "The squad has a lot of quality, especially in midfield. Competition for a spot in the starting XI will be tough, but it is up to me to show that I deserve a starting berth."

Feyenoord made sure they kept on the pace in the league with a battling 3-2 win at Willem II last weekend, while PSV ran out 3-0 winners against Roda JC. Twente kept up the pressure with a 3-2 win against Utrecht, and Steve McClaren's side will be bidding to make it three wins out of four on the road this season when they visit Heerenveen on Sunday.

Reigning champions AZ Alkmaar are also in touch at the summit, two points behind the leading trio after four wins and two losses in their opening half-dozen games. AZ face 12th-placed NEC Nijmegen on Saturday bidding to bounce back from their losing start in the Champions League in midweek, after a headed goal by Vassilis Torosidis saw Olympiacos emerge victorious in the Group H encounter.

The match was at least notable from an AZ perspective as Kew Jaliens broke the record for European appearances for the club. The defender played his 34th European game for AZ but played down the achievement, saying: "For me it is not a special day, you know. It's fun on paper, but I would rather have the game won or at least taken a point. At this moment as a sportsman, I cannot really enjoy the record. Maybe I will feel differently in a few days."

Elsewhere, Ajax will be confident of continuing their rich vein of form, which has seen them score nine and concede none in winning their last two games, when they take on VVV Venlo on Sunday. Surprise package ADO Den Haag are also in action on Sunday and will look to improve on their current sixth place when they host an FC Utrecht side just one place below them in the standings.

In other matches, Roda JC play host to NAC Breda, Heracles Almelo welcome Sparta Rotterdam to the Polman Stadion and bottom side RKC Waalwijk, without a point after six games, visit Vitesse Arnhem. The action gets under way tomorrow night when second-bottom Willem II, seeking to arrest a five-match losing streak, take on FC Groningen.