Robbie Savage relishing Rovers return

Robbie Savage reckons his return to Blackburn today will be the first time he has ever been well received at one of his old clubs.

Rams skipper Savage, 33, goes back to Ewood Park this afternoon after leaving Rovers for £1.5million in January following three years under Mark Hughes.

The controversial midfielder, the most booked player in Premier League history, is hoping for a warm reception.

And Savage admits it will make a pleasant change as he remains at target for the boo-boys at Birmingham and Leicester.

"I had three good years at Blackburn," said Savage, who quit Leicester for Birmingham in May 2002 before leaving City in January 2005 for Rovers.

"It was a big decision for me to leave Blackburn but it was the right one because I wanted to play regularly and I am looking forward to going back.

"I am expecting a good reception for once because I left Birmingham in acrimonious circumstances and when I left them they really fell apart.

"I jumped ship when Leicester went down because I wanted to play in the Premiership and I left Birmingham because I wanted to play for Mark Hughes.

"What I did for those teams, I should get a healthy reception but I am not surprised I got booed.

"It will be nice to go to Blackburn though, where the fans were good to me and I should get a good reception for a change."

Former Crewe ace Savage has been a cult hero at his previous clubs but failed initially to win over Derby sceptics following a poor start to his County career.

But Savage hopes to cement his growing popularity at Pride Park by leading the club back to the top flight next term.

He added: "The first seven games here were a nightmare and I think I was even booed by our own fans but they have taken to me now."

Relegated Derby, who only have 11 points, will officially become the worst team in Premier League history if they lose today as they won't be able to better Sunderland's record low points haul of 15 from 2005/2006.

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'THE WORST PLAYER EVER'
Benni McCarthy has wound up Robbie Savage by labelling his former team-mate "technically the worst player I have ever seen".

McCarthy insists Ewood Park is a duller place without the Welshman but said: "Sav is a fantastic boy but he knows he has no skill at all, though he works awfully hard. Technically he is the worst player I have ever seen."