Derby boss Paul Jewell knows he will have to become the ultimate salesman if he is to strengthen his squad next month.

A fortnight into Jewell's reign and the club's plight is already more perilous than when he took over, with the Rams seven points adrift of safety at the foot of the Barclays Premier League table.

If the situation fails to improve over the next few games ahead of the re-opening of the transfer window on January 1, Jewell knows he faces an uphill task to sign new players.

He believes if he has to take a step backward with relegation, he is convinced "three steps forward" will follow.

"I wouldn't tell lies to players," remarked Jewell ahead of his first home game on Saturday, a relegation clash with Middlesbrough.

"I'm not going to say 'come here, we're going to stay up'. I'd say 'come here because the future is bright.'

"Obviously, I didn't come here to manage in the Championship and pick up a few quid.

"I want to be in the Premier League, and I'm here because I'm ambitious and see this as one of the top jobs in the country.

"At the end of the day money talks. Players aren't going to come here and play for nothing.

"But if they do, I want them to come here with the ambition and drive that I have."