Jobi McAnuff has rejected the chance to join fellow Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic as Watford look to reduce their wage bill in a bid to bring in the likes of Claude Davis.

It is understood that McAnuff is the highest earner at Vicarage Road and, with the Hornets hierarchy looking to balance the books, the club accepted a loan move from the Addicks, but the player turned down the move.

Brendan Rodgers has said he needs to reduce the size of his squad if he is to bring in more players, but it is understood that McAnuff is happy to stay at the Golden Boys and had no interest in moving to The Valley.

Rodgers said: "Clubs at this time are looking to players and Charlton was one of the clubs that asked about Jobi. But Jobi is happy where he is at the moment. Unless something suits him and the club then he won't be going."

The Watford boss is desperate to bring in a commanding and experienced centre-half to shore up a defence which has already conceded 50 league goals this season.

One player who is believed to be on the Hornets' radar is Derby defender Claude Davis, who would fit the bill at 6ft tall and having made 48 appearances for Jamaica.

However Rodgers said: "It is one where I will never talk about players that are at other clubs. What I will say is we are on the lookout for defensive cover at the moment, it is an area where we are short on."

Rodgers added: "Anyone we would bring in would need to be a centre-half of stature. In this league you need that, especially at the back."

There are a number of players Watford are looking at but Rodgers said they have to be the right type.

The Orns were on the verge of signing a young striker on loan from one of the Premiership's 'top four' last week, before the parent club pulled out due to an injury to one of their first-team players.

Rodgers' first three signings were youngsters – Liam Bridcutt, Jack Cork and Gavin Hoyte – but the Northern Irishman says he now wants to bring in some experience.