Savage sympathy for Blues

Robbie Savage never envisaged Birmingham would be battling against relegation.

Robbie Savage admits he never envisaged former club Birmingham City would become embroiled in a relegation battle.

The Welsh midfielder returns to St Andrews on Wednesday evening for the first time since his controversial transfer to Blackburn Rovers in January 2005.

Since Savage left the Second City, Birmingham have struggled and the club are facing a huge battle to stay in The Premiership.

Blues desperately need to beat Blackburn as victory would lift the club above Portsmouth and out of the relegation zone.

Savage has expressed his sympathy for Birmingham's plight and insists he bears no malice towards his old side.

"I wouldn't have wished that upon them when I left," Savage told Sky Sports News.

"It's a great club, I have a lot of friends there still.

"It's something I would never have perceived leaving there that they would be in such a predicament.

"I am sorry for them. I hope they stay up."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce was angry with the manner of Savage's exit last year, but the former Leicester City workhorse refuted talk there is a rift between the two.

He added: "He gave me a great contract there. He had done everything to keep me.

"It was just the fact of Mark Hughes, Mark Bowen and living closer to home were all key factors. Steve's a great bloke."

While Savage may be a focal point for Wednesday's game at St Andrews, he tried to deflect the attention on to the importance of securing a result for both teams.

"Me going back there is just a very, very small side issue," continued Savage. "Hopefully, there are more important things - Birmingham fighting for relegation, Blackburn for Europe.

"I'm sure the fans will give me a nice reception. I had two-and-a-half great years there, two-and-a-half of the best years of my life.

"I'm just sorry about the way it ended."