Savage ponders international future

Wales midfielder Robbie Savage has claimed he is “seriously considering” his international future after being sent off against Northern Ireland.

Savage will miss the World Cup qualifier against England on October 9 after he was dismissed for reacting to a bad challenge from Michael Hughes, who was also red-carded.

David Healy was also sent off for the Irish, who lost a two-goal lead in the 2-2 draw at the Millennium Stadium.

“I’m seriously considering my international future,” Savage told BBC Wales, and described his dismissal as “the lowest point” of his career.

“It was a terrible night – what else can I say?

“I only put my hand on their player and I get sent off for that.

“The tackle he made on me was a career-threatening tackle. I’m going to miss the England game now and this is the lowest point of my career.

“But it is not about me, it is about the team. It is a bad result and not the one we wanted.”

The 29-year-old Birmingham player claimed the first red card of his career was “an absolute joke”, adding: “He could have broken my leg.

“There was a reaction and I swung my arms but then the guy came in with a bad tackle. I reacted and I got sent off.

“I am totally gutted. To get sent off in the first 10 minutes and then to realise I am going to miss the biggest game of my career is devastating.”

Italian referee Domenico Messina also came in for criticism from Wales boss Mark Hughes for his handling of the situation.

“It was a terrible tackle,” said Hughes. “I do not know whether they targeted Robbie to try to get a reaction, you will have to ask their manager that.

“Robbie is an emotional player and he was the victim of a terrible tackle, and the referee saw fit to send him off. It was a poor tackle, that is all I want to say.

“I do not know what happens to referees in this stadium, they seem to get wrapped up in the whole atmosphere and it seems to cloud their judgement.

“It was always going to be a particular style of game and I wonder whether this referee and his nationality was the right choice.”