Jewell: Loan would not rule Sav out of picture

ROBBIE Savage is set to sit out a sixth consecutive game tomorrow as Derby County take on Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.

The 33-year-old midfielder – he turns 34 next month – last featured for the Rams in the home defeat by Southampton on August 23.

He is currently not in the first-team plans and has been told he can go out on loan if the right offer comes in.

Savage has turned down a loan move to Brighton and there could be interest from one of his old clubs, Crewe Alexandra.

The former Welsh international was expected to be a key figure for the Rams in the Championship but he has slipped behind Paul Green, Miles Addison and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak in the battle for midfield places.

Jewell says Savage going out on loan would not necessarily rule him out of his thinking.

"No, it wouldn't," said Jewell.

"I have no problem with Sav, there is not an issue. People have tried to make an issue but there has never been an issue.

"Players can go out on loan and can come back and get back in the team. Lewin Nyatanga did it last season.

"Loans can suit both parties. If Sav is getting games and playing well, he could come back to Derby and try and get in the first team.

"Brighton asked about him but it was not for Sav.

"If a club comes on and Sav wants to do it and it suits us, we'll do it, but Sav did not want to go to Brighton on loan. That's no problem with me."

Asked about interest from Crewe, Jewell replied: "I have not heard from Crewe."

Savage, who cost £1.5m from Blackburn Rovers in January, has started two league games this season and the Carling Cup first round victory over Lincoln City.

Jewell says other players not in the first-team picture are also available for loan.

"Nobody likes not to be playing and there are players I think would be available, I know would be available, if other clubs came in for them," he said.

"We've got quite a big squad so if we could get some more out on loan I would be quite happy because that frees it up for me to go out and maybe exploit the loan market to bring players in.

"It has to benefit all parties. My interest is the club and the player, and obviously the club where we want to loan them want to get something out of it. So, if it suits everyone I don't see a problem."