Hughes frustrated with Savage transfer delay

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes today expressed his frustration at the delay over Robbie Savage’s move from Birmingham.

Rovers had thought they had reached agreement on a fee for the Welsh midfielder but Birmingham are still holding on to the player while they search for a replacement.

Hughes said: “I had hoped something may have been resolved by Friday and here we are on Tuesday and it’s still up in the air.

“It’s dragging on and I’m disappointed it has not had a resolution by now. I understand possibly Birmingham are looking for a replacement before they release Robbie.

“That’s understandable but I think it would be better for all parties if it was resolved quickly rather than allow it to drag on.”

Hughes also expressed his hope that Barry Ferguson would stay at Blackburn after Rangers showed their interest in the homesick Scotland captain.

Blackburn take on Cardiff in the FA Cup third-round replay at Ewood Park tomorrow without New Zealand skipper Ryan Nelsen, who made an impressive debut against Portsmouth at the weekend.

Nelsen was not registered in time for this round of the FA Cup, and Ferguson and Garry Flitcroft are both injured. However, Lucas Neill and Dominic Matteo both return from suspension.

Provisional squad: Friedel, Enckelman, Todd, Johansson, Emerton, Thompson, Stead, Neill, Matteo, Dickov, Pedersen, Gallagher, Tugay, Johnson, Amoruso, Mokoena, Douglas, McEveley, Jansen, Gray.