For the first time since quitting Wigan at the end of last season, Jewell returns to the JJB Stadium tomorrow as his rock-bottom Rams face his former club.

Jewell opted to walk away 24 hours after David Unsworth had scored a match-winning penalty in the 2-1 victory at Sheffield United on the final day of last season to keep the Latics in the Barclays Premier League.

But he was offered the chance of a come back just six months later by chairman Dave Whelan, following the sacking of Chris Hutchings in November.

With the Latics in the bottom three at the time, the package is understood to have included a £2million staying-up bonus.

Jewell, though, decided to remain true to his principles.

He explained: "I was tempted, because I've a lot of affinity for Wigan.

"I certainly feel I could have kept them up, because Chris had made some good signings.

"Right now I feel they're the best team in the bottom six, with the best individual players.

"I have to admit a lot of money was offered. But I had given my word six months ago that I had taken the club as far as I could."

It was a step with which Jewell simply could not have been comfortable.

"For me to go back for the money would have been the totally wrong thing to do," he said.

"I always ask players for commitment. Yeah, money is important in life - but I've honesty and pride.

"The world of football is full of people who do one thing and say another, and I didn't want to be one of them.

"So for me to have gone back six months later, it wouldn't have been for the right reasons, and it wouldn't have been right for Wigan Athletic or Paul Jewell."

But for Unsworth's penalty, Jewell concedes he would not now be Rams manager - because there is no way he would have quit Wigan on the back of relegation.

"If we had gone down then I would have stayed because I would have felt I'd have been walking away from something I'd had a big part to play in," he added.

"I would have felt responsible for us going down, and so I would have felt it my responsibility to get us back up again.

"It's easier to walk away from something when you've left it in a good position, even if it was a struggle last season.

"So I felt very proud that I kept Wigan up, but then pleased to leave, and I'm now so happy to be here with Derby."

That is despite the fact the Rams are destined to return to the Coca-Cola Championship, and Jewell has yet to savour a win with his new club after 15 matches in charge.

"I'm frustrated because I really want to give the fans something to cheer about - and it's not happened yet," he said.

"It would be nice to get that win tomorrow - not because it's Wigan, but simply because it's the next game."

Jay McEveley is poised to return after a seven-week lay-off with a knee injury, while captain Robbie Savage is fit after recovering from a severely bruised foot.

On-loan Hossam Ghaly is also available after being ineligible to face former club Spurs in the last game, but Jewell is without defenders Claude Davis and Tyrone Mears because of long-term injuries.