Reports on Wednesday indicated that Rams boss Paul Jewell had asked Trotters counterpart Gary Megson if he could borrow Nigeria centre-back Shittu for a month.

The 28-year-old has only made four starts for Bolton since moving from Watford for around £2million in August.

However, Megson has decided he needs Shittu as defensive cover and has told Jewell he will have to look elsewhere.

Derby chairman Adam Pearson has intimated that the player's wage demands scuppered the deal.

"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," said Pearson.

"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."

Meanwhile, QPR are believed to have made an enquiry for Iceland striker Heidar Helguson, whose only Premier League appearance so far this season was a second-half subsitute in the 2-1 defeat away to his former club Fulham on September 13.

The 31-year-old does not appear to have much of a future at Bolton so a loan switch to west London would probably suit all parties.