Jimenez, who will fight it out for the number one slot with Andy Oakes, who played in the 3-1 defeat to Ipswich on Saturday, will have a medical and train with the team before signing.

Jimenez has had an unhappy spell at Atletico after his high-profile signing from Espanyol in 1999.

His move quickly turned into a nightmare as his new club, under the leadership of current Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, were relegated to the Second Division and Jimenez lost his place in the side.

Meanwhile, the Rams quest for a new boss continues with former Spurs and Newcastle manager Ossie Ardiles joining Roy Hodgson in declaring his interest in the post.

Ardiles, who has also managed Swindon and West Bromwich Albion, prior to appointments in Japan and Saudi Arabia, said: ‘‘I want the job at Derby and I want to keep them up.

‘‘I’ve got a good record in England. Remember what I achieved with West Brom and Swindon.

‘‘Unfortunately people remember what happened at Spurs, but that was a difficult job at the time.

‘‘Unfortunately that was my last job in England and the doors have been closed to me since then.’’

Billy McEwan, the Rams’ reserve-team boss who has taken over in a caretaker capacity pending the announcement of a successor to Colin Todd, has already insisted he will not apply for the job.

But that is not to suggest that McEwan does not want it and after nearly a decade at Pride Park he remains a leading contender.

McEwan looks likely to still be in charge for his side’s next match at Charlton next Tuesday, with the Rams board determined not to rush the process of getting the right man.

A club spokesman said: ‘‘We won’t reveal any of the candidates and the procedure is ongoing.

‘‘We continue to look at the applications as we try to make the right decision for the football club. We have a game next Tuesday and Billy continues to take charge of team affairs.’’