Blackburn close on Savage

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes appears to be closing in on the reported £3million capture of Birmingham midfielder Robbie Savage.

Hughes said today that Rovers had made progress in their exhaustive and acrimonious dealings with the Blues.

Savage - who will miss tomorrow's trip to Charlton with a sore knee - is adamant he wants to get away from St Andrew's despite recently signing a new four-year contract.

Rovers had an initial £2m bid rejected as "derisory" by David Sullivan but are believed to have upped their offer to a level the Blues chief will accept.

Hughes said today: "The situation as I know it is that discussions are ongoing.

"I think progress has been made so we are hopeful that something is going to happen."

Blues boss Steve Bruce is privately furious about Savage's conduct and refused to elaborate on the latest situation today.

However he reiterated his belief that Savage remains a key member of his squad for the time being at least.

Bruce said: "If there is another bid then let's see what that other bid is. Unless it meets our valuation he is not going anywhere and that stands to this day.

"If we get the money we are requiring and it is enough, then like every player he has got his price.

"But we own the player. He signed for us three months ago for another four years."