Hughes ups the ante on Savage

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes stepped up his bid for Robbie Savage today as he sought to make a flying start towards strengthening his squad in the new year transfer window.

Hughes confirmed Rovers have tabled an offer in excess of £2m (€2.85m) for Birmingham midfielder Savage and denied claims by Blues managing director Karren Brady that his communication was “derisory” and “a waste of fax paper”.