Savage waits for Rovers' next move

Robbie Savage today admitted his proposed switch to Blackburn was a non-starter unless Rovers increased their offer.

The Wales midfielder was outstanding in Birmingham’s victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage yesterday and City have already rejected the Lancashire club’s initial bid of £2m (€2.8m).

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce insists he does not want Savage to leave but knows every player has his price.

The Blues value Savage at around £3.5m (€4.9m) and are now waiting to see if Rovers will meet their asking price with a renewed offer in the next few days.

Savage had a hand in goals for Emile Heskey and Darren Carter as well as scoring the third himself as City soared to their fourth straight win.

But Savage now accepts that his future lies in the hands of the money men at Ewood Park and admitted that the whole situation had left him in emotional turmoil.

Savage declared: “The speculation is always there and my head has been in turmoil in the past four or five weeks.

“Hopefully, it shows how professional I’ve been with the performances I’m still putting in. People said I was in crisis but I think I’ve answered my critics over the last four or five games.

“Now Birmingham hold all the cards. I’m their player. They’ve turned down a bid and unless Blackburn come in with more money, that’s the end of it.

“Equally, everyone has a price and if Blackburn come up with more money then, I suppose I’ll be gone.”

However, Savage’s footballing situation is nothing compared to the problems suffered by his parents and his main desire is to get closer to them.

Savage’s father has been forced into early retirement through ill-health while his mother suffered a stroke.

They both still live in Wales and the double blow has left its mark on Savage, who is now desperate to do what he can for them.

He explained: “No matter whether I am at Wrexham, Birmingham or Blackburn, I just want to be close to my family. I want to do the best I can for my family.

“You could not ask for a better group of lads to play with and the fans have been very good to me but it is hard living away from your family. I’ve had a few chats with the manager and hopefully, it will be resolved soon.”

Meanwhile, Birmingham’s former Fulham goalkeeper Maik Taylor had some comforting words for his old team-mates after City’s win.

Taylor was in outstanding form against the Cottagers, who are now entrenched in a relegation battle and face four crucial matches in the next 17 days.

The Londoners have home games against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and West Brom and also need to overcome tricky away fixtures at Southampton and Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.

The outcome of those fixtures could well decide the fate of Fulham’s under-fire manager Chris Coleman.

He and his side were booed off the pitch against City at full-time and now lie fifth from bottom but Taylor believes his former team chums can avoid the drop.

Taylor said: “On paper Fulham have got an outstanding team, I’m sure they just need a little bit of luck and then their season will turn around.

“Sometimes you just need one fluke goal that can lift everyone and Fulham have certainly got enough quality, they just need to find something from someone.”