I DID NOT DIVE - SAVAGE

Smith branded the Welsh international a diver after winning a controversial penalty for Leicester against The Rams on Saturday.

Savage was adjudged to have been brought down by Danny Higginbotham two minutes from time for a penalty from which Muzzy Izzett scored to give The Foxes a hard-fought 3-2 win at Pride Park.

Savage's celebration at the decision caused a serious bust-up from opponents who were furious with Savage.

Craig Burley and Fabrizio Ravanelli led the protests at Savage which involved most of the players on the pitch and continued on at the final whistle in the tunnel.

Savage, who was involved in the controversial sending-off of Ipswich goalkeeper Matteo Sereni last weekend said he did not dive and all he was guilty of was over-excitement.

"I've never dived in my career. It was a penalty," Savage told Sky Sports. "My reaction was one of 'we haven't won in eight months in the Premier League, we've got a penalty in the last minute of an away game and we have a chance to win it'."

The former Crewe man claims his hard-man reputation is counting against him and he is being harshly treated.

"It is because it is me. I think I'm being victimised. It's getting to the stage where I'm not bothered anymore," said Savage.

Savage also absolved himself from any blame for the ugly incidents in the tunnel where he and two other team-mates had to be restrained by police and stewards.

"I was not even in the tunnel but the steward said it was my fault for the incident," said Savage. "Maybe I've not always been totally blameless in the past but yesterday I was blameless."