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”.

The former Wales coach also confirmed striking a £600,000 (€855,000) deal with Belgian club Racing Genk for defender Aaron Mokoena, who will move to Ewood Park before the end of the month.

Hughes is anxious to make his own mark on the squad he inherited from former boss Graeme Souness – with whom he will come face to face in the Boxing Day Barclays Premiership fixture against Newcastle.

In the longer term, he sees fellow Welshman Savage as the ideal player to revive the fortunes of his struggling side.

“We have put in a bid for Robbie and we hope we will have some news on whether Birmingham decide to let him go,” said Hughes.

“The structure of the bid is in line with other bids made by other clubs, and I wouldn’t say an offer of over £2million is derisory in this day and age.

“Robbie is a top quality player and an international who has got great energy - and he is the type of player we need if we can get him.

“We feel we have gone the right way around it in making an official bid. The initial one has been rejected, so we will see where we go.

“The two clubs are talking, and if something happens I’ll be grateful. But we probably need a quick decision.”

The increasingly strained relationship between the two clubs took a new twist this week when Birmingham launched a counter-bid for Rovers striker Paul Dickov.

Hughes was quick to rule out any move for the former Manchester City front man.

“I imagine a lot of clubs are interested in Paul because of his ability, but we quickly told him the situation,” he said.

“We got an indication from Paul that he had no interest in it and he is very happy at Blackburn Rovers, so that is the end of it.”

Hughes is relishing the prospect of kicking off the busy festive programme by pitting his wits against Souness.

The Scot brought Hughes to Ewood Park on a free transfer in October 2000, and he ended his glittering playing career there.

Rovers’ new boss paid a glowing tribute to his predecessor and blasted reports on mounting dissatisfaction at St James’ Park just three months into Souness’ reign.

Hughes said: “I think it is absolutely ridiculous that any manager is under pressure after such a short period – but that is the nature of the beast at the moment.

“Certainly at Premiership level you are not given a great amount of time to really put your thoughts and your philosophies into place.

“When you are trying to change a whole mind-set of a club that takes time, and I think people need to remember that.”

Hughes is well aware his team need to do well over Christmas and new year, because they continue to teeter just one point above the relegation zone.

But he does not expect any additional worries as he prepares his side for their most hectic period of the season.

David Thompson is back from suspension, while Nils-Eric Johansson is expected to replace hamstring injury victim Craig Short.

Andy Todd should be fit, despite missing training with a cold, and Italian Lorenzo Amoruso is in contention for a place on the bench.