LONDON, Dec 21 (AFP) - Birmingham manager Steve Bruce insisted Tuesday he was determined to keep Robbie Savage at St Andrews after intense speculation the Wales midfielder was set to depart for Premiership rivals Blackburn Rovers during the January transfer window.
Rovers are managed by former Wales boss Mark Hughes, with whom Savage enjoyed a good relationship when the ex-Manchester United striker was in charge of the national side.
Birmingham are 14th in the table, two places above Rovers, a position they maintained thanks to a 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday where Savage was in fine form.
Bruce said Tuesday: "A lot is said and written about Sav but he has been terrific for Birmingham City the last two and a half years.
"The fans love him because he epitomises them. He works hard, They like people like that and there are not many like him - and why the hell should I sell him to someone else?
"I am not interested. I`ve got wealthy owners who will stand by me - and we will do everything we can to possibly keep him."
Savage will be only one yellow card away from suspension when Middlesbrough come to St Andrews on December 26.
12/21/2004 15:34 GMT - AFP