Rams eye Premier League defenders

Rams eye Premier League defenders

The Rams will look to bolster their stocks of central defenders in the loan transfer window with Premier League players on Paul Jewell`s shopping list.

Bolton Wanderers Nigerian international Danny Shittu was one of the target`s according to the press today but The Reebok Stadium club have blocked the loan move.

Jewell wanted to take the big centre-half to Pride Park for a month but was turned down by Wanderers Coach Gary Megson because of his own lack of defensive cover.

Shittu, who joined them from Watford for £2m in August, has not figured since the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal in September yet remains the only other senior defender currently at Megson`s disposal with Nicky Hunt on loan at Birmingham City.

Derby, who has been hit by injuries and suspension, beat Leeds United 2-1 last night to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time since 1990.

After the victory at Pride Park Stadium, Jewell, in his press conference, revealed he tried to sign two Premier League players yesterday.

‘I tried to get a couple of players in on loan and I am waiting for a call today as we are a bit thin on the ground,’ said Jewell.

The Rams boss would not say which positions he is looking to strengthen but one is certain to be a centre-half as both Martin Albrechtsen (Calf) and Dean Leacock (groin) are out injured.

The pair missed the cup clash and are rated very doubtful to face Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday.

‘Martin’s had a scan and we don’t think the injury is quite as bad as we thought. Dean is still sore and we are waiting on the results of more tests,’ said Jewell.

Rams chairman of football Adam Pearson has highlighted the difficulty in signing players on loan from the Premier League.

Speaking on the clubs web site Pearson said: ‘Obviously, centre-half is a priority area for us with us having a number of injuries in that position but getting good, experienced centre-halves that can come in and make a difference to the team from the Premier League is extremely difficult. The clubs don’t seem to want to save on wages.

‘We enquired about a centre-half on loan last week and it was £28,000-a-week and yet there’s no real urgency from the club to recoup those wages even though he’s nowhere near the first team.

‘They seem happy for him to just sit in there. I think the sums are so vast that it takes a lot to make an indentation on their wage bill.

‘Therefore, it is becoming increasingly difficult in the Championship to get players who can affect the standard of your team.

‘Even if you were to look at a team like West Ham, who you would expect to need money in this climate, they are not keen to put loan players out.’