BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage today admitted getting dropped by manager Mark Hughes was the 'kick up the backside' he needed.

The 31-year-old, who joined Rovers from Birmingham in a controversial £3 million move earlier this year, has confessed getting axed by Hughes for the recent game with Everton was a massive blow to his ego.

It was a bold decision by the Rovers boss, who is normally one of the former Welsh international's biggest supporters.

But it appears to have had the desired effect as Savage returned to the side with a vengeance at the weekend, turning in one of his best performances of the season as Rovers came from behind to beat West Ham United in a five-goal thriller at Ewood Park.

"I've had a kick up the backside off the gaffer and hopefully it's worked," said Savage.

"That was the first time I'd ever been dropped in my life and the manager said I wasn't consistent enough with my performances.

"To be honest, it hurt to be left out. I've got a big ego and nobody likes getting dropped.

"But I showed a good reaction in training and I thought I proved I was up for it (on Saturday).

"At the end of the day, I've got a lot of respect for the gaffer and the lads so I took it on the chin and I responded well, I didn't sulk, I just got on with it, and I've since told him that I won't put him in a position where he can leave me out again."

Saturday's match was a feisty encounter, prompting referee Mike Riley to book nine different players (six from West Ham and three from Rovers), but, remarkably, Savage was not one of those who had his name taken.

And he later admitted it was down to some of the comments from our jury that made him think twice about the disciplinary side of his game.

"I read a few things in the Evening Telegraph where people were saying I get booked too early, but that's the way I play," said Savage.

"I got my tackles in (on Saturday) and won every one of them, so it's a fine margin.

"Sometimes you're going to mis-time the odd one (which gets you into trouble)."

Nevertheless, the tough-tackling midfielder was still involved in an angry exchange with Brad Friedel at one point when Yossi Benayoun was nearly gifted a late equaliser.

Friedel ended up barging into the Welshman and Savage responded with a push of his own before their team-mates had to intervene to break things up.

However, the pair quickly shook hands and made up and Savage went to Friedel's yesterday for a drink to show there were no hard feelings.

"We are both winners," added Savage. "There was an incident where I was going to clear it and Brad shouted 'keeper's'.

"He then came up to me and nudged me and I pushed him back. But I think that's good. I really don't mind that. I rather see that than people hiding.

"We are both fiery characters but we shook hands straight away and the crowd clapped.

"I think the crowd like to see that passion. It was two players desperately wanting to win the game rather than going hiding and that's the kind of fighting spirit you need."