BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes today attempted to draw a line under the saga surrounding Robbie Savage's controversial move from Birmingham Cit, writes ANDY NEILD.

Relations between the two clubs became strained last season as Hughes vigorously pursued Savage, with the Blues accusing Rovers of 'tapping up' their star midfielder.

Eventually, after much protesting, City boss Steve Bruce was forced to accept he had no choice other than to sanction the Welshman's move to Rovers.

But the manner of Savage's departure left a bitter taste in the mouth and that sense of acrimony spilt over again in April when the two clubs became embroiled in another row over whether the 30-year-old could play in a fixture between the two at St Andrews.

Today, Savage will finally face the Blues for the first time since he quit in January and Hughes believes it's time both clubs put the whole episode behind them.

Speaking of his decision to pursue Savage, Hughes said: "It was a football decision from our point of view.

"Birmingham obviously didn't want to lose him but we were of the mind that if we were determined enough to get him then there might be a possibility we could get him, and that's how it panned out.

"We got a very good player, they got a good price, so both parties should be pleased with the deal, I think.

"I was looking at it purely from a selfish point of view and I was trying to improve Blackburn Rovers.

The fact an ex-colleague of mine (Steve Bruce) was in charge of the other team didn't really come into it."