Russia deserve final place - Savage

Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage admits he “never expected” UEFA to present Wales with a Euro 2004 reprieve despite Russian midfielder Yegor Titov failing a drugs test.

Wales had appealed to Europe’s governing body after Titov had tested positive following the goalless draw in the first leg of the play-off in Moscow in November.

He then went on to play almost an hour of the return leg at the Millennium Stadium which the Russians won 1-0 to book their place in this summer’s finals in Portugal.

Savage said: “I think the FAW (Football Association of Wales) had expected to overturn the decision – but as a player I never really expected it.

“Over the two legs they beat us fair and square and they deserved to go through to the finals. It is as simple as that.

“I would have loved to have got to the Euro 2004 finals and the biggest players in the world like Henry, Zidane etc will be there. We could have been there.

“Not getting to the finals is the biggest disappointment I’ve ever had in my career and now you see the adverts on TV for the finals.”

Meanwhile, Blues assistant boss Mark Bowen has praised the performances of veteran defender Jeff Kenna who has fought his way back into the first team.

Kenna’s future at City looked bleak after he was frozen out of the picture for a couple of months but he has made the most of his recall and chipped in with vital goals against Manchester City and Southampton.

Bowen said: “Jeff has done really well since he came back into the side and he is playing out of his skin.”