ROVERS RELISH SAVAGE RETURN

Savage - faces former club.

Mark Hughes claims the return of Robbie Savage is chief among the reasons why Blackburn can take nothing for granted against Derby this weekend.

Savage is one of three former Blackburn players likely to feature for the Rams at Ewood Park.

Derby's relegation from the Premier League has long been confirmed but Hughes expects Savage, Andy Todd and Jay McEveley to return with points to prove.

Rovers need to win to keep alive their slender hopes of qualifying for Europe via the Intertoto Cup, while also hoping Aston Villa slip up against Wigan.

Hughes said: "Knowing Robbie as I do as a player and a personality, I knew at that stage in his career he wanted to be playing week in, week out.

"I was clear he still had a role to play but I couldn't guarantee that.

"So, in the end, I made the decision to let him go. But he was still a fantastic player for us and had a big impact on what we are trying to do.

"All three of them were great for me but there comes a point where you feel a player's time at the club is best served by them leaving.

"They were very influential in their time, certainly Sav and Toddy - and Jay to a lesser extent.

"They had key games for us. I am looking forward to seeing them again.

"On paper people are saying it is a shoo-in for Blackburn but you have to remember we have got former players coming back - not just one, but three.

"You know they will be trying to make an impression and we have to be mindful of that. It's always nice to welcome players back as long as you beat them."

Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is struggling to make the game with a hamstring injury but he admits he too is looking forward to meeting up with Savage again.

McCarthy, who agreed a new three-year contract last week, made a huge impact in his first season with Blackburn last year and he claims Savage played a big part in helping him settle.

"Sav is a fantastic boy and ever since he has left the dressing room has gone awfully quiet," said McCarthy of the 33-year-old former Wales international.

"It is still exciting but the banter has a bit gone, that little spark. Even when the chips were down he always seemed to make everyone laugh, including the manager.

"He has a dig at everyone and that's the part of him we miss the most, his spirit.

"Even though technically he is the worst player I have ever seen in my life - and he knows it - he just gives everyone that edge.

"He knows he has no skill at all but he works awfully hard for the team and it makes us work even harder.

"Everyone knows and respects him at the club and with him back it is going to be good."

McCarthy has been doing extra training this week in the hope of featuring but Hughes expects the game still to come too soon for the South African.

He is now likely to have to wait until next weekend's final game of the season at Birmingham to add to his 11-goal tally.

Hughes is more hopeful defender Christopher Samba will overcome the leg injury sustained in the latter stages of last week's win at Portsmouth.

He said: "Chris is still in the treatment room. He has got a bang on his thigh and quite a bleed, so he's a little bit stiff.

"But once you get rid of the blood around the impact injury, the injury frees itself and you get your movement back.

"Once that clears up to a sufficient level then he will be OK. We are hopeful he will be OK at the weekend."