Derby insist they have received no improved offer for defender Danny Higginbotham.

The former Manchester United player was the subject of an unsuccessful bid, believed to be in the region of £500,000, from Southampton.

The cash-strapped Rams are looking to raise approximately £10million during the January transfer window and have already off-loaded goalkeeper Mart Poom to Sunderland.

Middlesbrough have tabled a £3million bid for striker Malcolm Christie and defender Chris Riggott, while Leeds have also been linked with a £2million move for Christie.

However, a Pride Park spokesman said: "We are only aware of an initial £500,000 bid from Southampton for Danny.

"We've had no correspondence since then."