Soccer: Izzet won't follow savage example

Muzzy Izzet will not follow the example of fellow midfielder Robbie Savage in pledging his long-term future to Leicester.

Savage has done a U-turn by saying he will stay with City next season even if they are relegated from the Barclaycard Premiership.

The Wales international follows goalkeeper Ian Walker and defender Frank Sinclair in claiming he wants to remain for the 2002-2003 campaign even though a drop into Nationwide League Division One looks inevitable.

Izzet has been in fine form for the Foxes since rejecting a move to Middlesbrough last month because he did not want to be perceived as ‘‘jumping ship’’.

He was a key figure in Saturday’s 2-1 success over Blackburn which ended a run of 16 league games without a win thanks to two goals from Paul Dickov.

But the Turkey international is adamant that he will remain on the transfer list and it is likely that moves over his future will gather pace once City’s fate is confirmed.

Izzet, gearing up for today’s clash at Sunderland, said: ‘‘Robbie Savage saying that he wants to stay with Leicester, whatever division they are in next season, is great news for management and fans alike.

‘‘If the worst comes to the worst and Leicester go down, then keeping players like ‘Sav’ would be a big plus.

‘‘It does not change my situation, though. I am on the transfer list and will continue to be so.

‘‘But I think I’ve proved with my performances that I have been committed to trying to keep us in the

Premiership.

‘‘I turned down Middlesbrough to try to help to get the club out of this terrible situation.’’

Izzet also feels that City can bounce back quickly, especially if several key players are available for next season like Gerry Taggart, Dennis Wise, Darren Eadie and Gary Rowett, who have been long-term injury victims.

He said: ‘‘While my future is still uncertain, there’s no doubt the likes of Sav, Matt Elliott, Paul Dickov,

James Scowcroft and Brian Deane plus the return of the injured players would give us a very powerful side in the First Division.’’

Foxes manager Dave Bassett will check on the fitness of rookie defender Jon Ashton before finalising his side to face the Black Cats.

He needed several stitches in a head wound after a clash with Blackburn’s on-loan striker Jorge Yordi.

Rowett could come into contention for his first start in nearly six months after a knee problem.

Blackburn manager Graeme Souness has admitted that today’s home game with Southampton is a ‘‘must-win’’ affair after his side’s shock defeat at Leicester.

They face a daunting final run-in which includes Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle plus games with fellow strugglers Everton and Fulham.

Souness said: ‘‘We are confident that we can get the points to stay up but we will have to defend better than we did at Leicester.

‘‘The players fully understand the predicament they are in. They are fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.

‘‘It’s not been a case of not wanting it, not giving 100% but being guilty of individual errors which have cost us dearly. That’s been the story of our season.’’

Souness will have to assess the fitness of Yordi before naming his line-up to face Gordon Strachan’s side.

He said: ‘‘He had eight stitches. He got a real bang on the head. We will have to see how he is.’’

Midfielder David Dunn (hip) will also be assessed but Souness is expected to have winger Damien Duff available after he complained of being exhausted after being on mid-week duty for the Republic of Ireland.