Aston Villa boss David O'Leary will be limited to loan signings in the January transfer window - but a central defender remains his top priority.
O'Leary has only Olof Mellberg and Liam Ridgewell available in central defence, with Martin Laursen out for the season.
"If anyone comes in, it will be on loan. We won't be buying because there won't be any money," said O'Leary.
"You wouldn't have to be a rocket scientist to say a target for me will be a central defender."
Chelsea's Robert Huth may be an option for O'Leary, although the 21-year-old has also been linked with a move back to his native Germany as he seeks first-team football ahead of the 2006 World Cup.
