Savage Wales Best Player

Robbie Savage’s club boss Mark Hughes has defended his midfielder after he retired from international football yesterday after being left out of John Toshack’s squad to face Austria later this month.

Savage, who enjoyed a prolonged period in Mark Hughes’ Wales squad before Hughes left to take over at Blackburn has said that Toshack’s decision to leave him out is personal and not about his football, claiming Toshack “doesn’t like me”.

Hughes said: "Wales have not got that many players to choose from and certainly not of the quality of Robbie Savage," Hughes said.

"I think it's just a shame that a player of Robbie's undoubted quality will no longer be available for Wales."

Yesterday it is believed that Toshack told Savage he would continue with the squad that faced Hungary last month, which Savage withdrew from through injury.

During that game, Carl Robinson and Carl Fletcher of Championship sides Sunderland and West Ham respectively played in that game, and seem likely to continue in the World Cup Qualifiers.

As the public feuding continues, Hughes has further defended Savage by saying Savage as one of the most important players in the squad during his spell as Wales coach.

"It's disappointing for Welsh football that this episode has come about," Hughes added.

"For the time I was in charge as Welsh manager I was fortunate enough to have Robbie at my disposal - and for five years he was arguably the best player in the team.

"Robbie has made his decision and I think everybody has got to respect not only that decision, but what he has done for Welsh football.

"If you look at it from a purely personal point of view, obviously it will focus his mind on the job at Blackburn and we are grateful for that."