Premier League strugglers Derby County have appointed Paul Jewell as their new manager.

The Rams parted company with Billy Davies on Monday and chairman Adam Pearson has wasted no time in finding a replacement.

Jewell, who quit Wigan after securing their Premier League safety on the final day of last season, emerged as Derby's prime target yesterday.

Since leaving the JJB he has been linked with the Republic of Ireland job and also rejected the chance to return to the Latics after Chris Hutchings was sacked, while he was also linked with Bolton and Birmingham.

Jewell insisted this morning that he would not "wave the white flag" in the club's battle with relegation - but accepted he faces one of the toughest challenges of his career.

Derby are currently bottom of the league but despite the side's perilous situation, Jewell insists a swift return to the Coca-Cola Championship is not a foregone conclusion.

Asked if he could keep the side up this season, he told a press conference: "Absolutely. If I don't believe it, if the players don't believe it, if the fans don't believe it we have no chance.

"It's going to be very difficult but I'm not here to wave the white flag. We're not adrift."

Jewell has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at Pride Park and insists although the appointment has been a speedy one he is ready to dig in for a long haul with the club following six months out of the game.