Hayes has had an uncomfortable time at Preston since signing last summer on a free transfer. It appeared he and his family had not settled and so he was sent out on loan by former boss Darren Ferguson.
The frontman returned from his loan spell but has made little impact under Phil Brown with the new boss preferring to bring in alternative loan signings to bolster his front line until the end of the season.
It is believed that Derby want to bring in Hayes before the weekend when they face his fromer club Scunthorpe.