Savage eyes Premier return

Savage: Premier hopes

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Robbie Savage insists he will play Premier League football again despite Derby's impending drop out of the top flight.

The Rams relegation fate looks almost sealed after winning just one game all season leaving them at the foot of the table and 13 points behind their nearest rivals.

The 33-year-old accepts that he will be playing Championship football with the club next season but admits it will be difficult to come to terms with.

"The last 11 years I have always known Premier League football," Savage told the Daily Mirror.

"I wind some of my mates up who play in the Championship telling them I couldn't stay up until 4am in the morning to watch the highlights on Granada.

Challenge

"It is going to be a new thing for me and before our game against Manchester United last week I said: 'Let's go and enjoy ourselves because we might not play against them ever again.'

Savage has spent over a decade in the top flight and joined struggling Derby from Blackburn in January hoping to inspire their survival hopes.

His hopes of playing for Wrexham, the club he grew up with, are now on hold as Savage aims to secure an immediate return to the Premier League next season with Derby.

"It is going to be a challenge but if I can lead Derby back up and then have one more year in the Premier League that will be me finished," he added.

"I would be 34 if we come straight back with one year left in the Premier League and I would love that even if I was a bit part player. I did think I would one day play for Wrexham but this will be my last club.

Satisfied

The former Wales midfielder is also quick to defend his years insisting his recent form has left him satisfied.

"A lot of people were saying I was past it and asking whether I would be the same," Savage added.

"I don't drink at all but I went home Saturday night and I had a few glasses of wine. For the first time in a while I had the satisfaction for me and my family of playing well.

"I will try and do the same thing at Middlesbrough as that is my benchmark but it doesn't wipe the first seven games out."