Derby midfielder Robbie Savage has revealed he tried to engineer a return to former club Leicester last season.

A year ago Savage's County career was in tatters after he was cast aside by former manager Paul Jewell. The 34-year-old wanted to rejoin Leicester and claims that Foxes chairman Milan Mandaric was keen on the move.

"I was desperate to find a club at the time and I was pleading with (Leicester ambassador) Alan Birchenall to see if he could have a word on my behalf. I called Paul Dickov too. I was desperate to come back to City," Savage told the Leicester Mercury. "I think Milan Mandaric was up for it but Nigel Pearson said no. I think he thought my legs had gone."

He added: "I suppose it was the right decision as he went on to take City straight back up to the Championship but I did want to prove to him that I was not finished. He wasn't the only one, no-one would take a chance on me and I ended up at Brighton."