Savage Hopes For Derby Lifeline

Robbie Savage is hoping that he can revive his Derby career under caretaker-boss Chris Hutchings, and believes that he, like everyone, deserves a second chance.

'Everybody deserves a second chance. I know most of the fans don't like me and that's fine. I've heard what they say - that my legs have gone.

'If they came to watch me train they'd know that was nonsense. I want to prove I'm good enough to do a job for their club.

'The new manager says everyone starts with a clean slate and the words were music to my ears.'

Rumours of bust-ups with former Rams boss Paul Jewell were commonplace but Savage insists this was never the case but did admit that he had a difficult relationship with Jewell.

'It's been the worst time of my career. I never had a fall-out with Paul Jewell despite what people think. I had a lot to thank him for.

'We are both strong characters and there was a clash of personalities. But he was the manager and he decided he wasn't going to pick me. I had to respect the fact that he stuck to his guns.

'But it's soul-destroying just coming into training and knowing I would never play for Derby again while he was the manager.'

Savage was talking to the Evening Telegraph.

The 34-year-old hasn't featured for the club since August but did return to the substitutes bench for the FA Cup win over Forest Green, but didn't get on. The former Welsh international will just have to knuckle down and let his training do the talking. If this brings a chance under Hutchings then he'll need to take it.

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