Derby manager Paul Jewell will finally strengthen his beleaguered Rams squad today with the signing of Argentinian striker Emanuel Villa.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for Mexican side UAG Tecos, flew in yesterday.

Terms have already been agreed on a £2million deal that will be completed once Villa passes a medical and international clearance is received.

Derby will represent Villa's sixth club in seven years as he has previously played for Club Atletico Huracan, Atletico Rafaela and Rosario Central in Argentina, along with Atlas and UAG Tecos in Mexico.

The move, though, will not be done in time for Villa to make his Rams debut in the FA Cup third-round tie with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park on Sunday.

It is another game in which Jewell will again take a head count as he concedes he is "down to the bare bones" for the clash with his former club, and not for the first time recently.

Derby's injury crisis was compounded on Wednesday in the 1-0 loss at Bolton as Jay McEveley suffered knee ligament damage.

McEveley underwent scans late yesterday, with the left-back almost certain to be ruled out for at least three months, and potentially for the remainder of the season.

"The treatment room is an horrendous place at the moment - you can't get in there!" joked Jewell in a bid to make light of a difficult situation.

Along with McEveley, Jewell could again be without Dean Leacock, Stephen Bywater, Rob Earnshaw, Andy Griffin, Stephen Pearson, Andy Todd and Dave Jones.

It is why Jewell is being linked with all and sundry, including Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage and Tottenham bad-boy Hossam Ghaly.