Savage facing ban

Birmingham City midfielder Robbie Savage will have to serve a one match suspension after finally falling off the disciplinary tightrope he has been walking for almost two months.

The Welsh international collected his fourth booking in just six appearances against Newcastle United on September 28.

But he had avoided the fifth yellow card that would lead to a ban for seven weeks until yesterday when he was cautioned for a challenge on Fulham’s Steve Marlet who was sent off in the same incident.

Savage, who also collected a groin injury during the game which will force him to miss Wales’ Euro qualifier with Azerbaijan on Wednesday, will be suspended for the home Premiership encounter with Southampton on December 7.