Derby County manager Paul Jewell has told Robbie Savage he has to 'knuckle down' if he wants to be in his first-team plans. The picture is very different now though with Savage frozen out of Jewell's plans as the start of the new season approaches when not even making the 21 man squad for the Rams friendly against Doncaster Rovers.
Jewell said: "Robbie wasn't happy about not being first choice in the team,
"I was not particularly happy the way he reacted in training so like every other player, no different, if you don't want to do your best at training, are not prepared to knuckle down, you won't be considered."
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Savage, with Jewell refusing to rule out playing the tough tackler again.
He said: "If Robbie comes back Monday morning and knuckles down, he will be considered like everybody else, no different to any other player at Derby County."
Savage finds himself behind new signings Paul Green and Przemyslaw Kazmierczak in the pecking order for the central midfield role, while centre back Dean Leacock has also played there in pre-season.
Savage may find himself frustrated by lack of chances at Pride Park and could find himself cast even further adrift as Paul Jewell looks to strengthen his squad.
Jewell said: "We feel we are a little bit light in central midfield and one or two other areas."
