Derby manager Paul Jewell is confident Robbie Savage will have no problems performing in the Championship next season.Since leaving Crewe for Leicester in 1997, Savage has spent the last 11 seasons playing in the Premier League.

Spells at Birmingham and Blackburn followed his five years with the Foxes, before pitching up at doomed Derby for £1.5million 10 weeks ago.

Initially, it appeared as if Rams boss Paul Jewell had wasted the club's money as Savage was far from the midfielder often seen tormenting the opposition.

However, after a short spell on the sidelines to shake off the niggly injuries that had plagued the Welshman since his arrival, Savage was back to his best against Manchester United.

At one stage during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Pride Park, the Derby fans even chanted 'there's only one Robbie Savage' such was his all-action performance.

But the question now is, with the Rams destined to return to the Championship, and at the age of 33, will Savage be willing to produce at a lower level after spending so long in the top flight?

Jewell has no qualms on that score given the incentive as he said: "I think so, because we all want to be back here (Premier League) pretty soon, and that has to be our aim.

"It was nice to hear the crowd chant his name. That was really good, but that's what Sav can do.

"He hasn't played well since he has been here, there's no getting away from it - and he hasn't been the only one - but against Man United he looked like his old self.

"Hopefully that will give him some confidence, because he has been lacking in that, and not just for this season but more importantly for next season, because next season is the one we all want more."

Despite the Rams rock-bottom of the Premier League with just one win from 30 matches, Jewell's side performed creditably against United.

Jewell is now demanding a repeat performance at Middlesbrough on Saturday as Derby target the six points they need to avoid being relegated with the tag of the worst team in Premier League history.

"We've so far been a team that turns up one week and doesn't the next," added Jewell.

"I guess the atmosphere at Middlesbrough will be flat compared to the one against Manchester United when it was like a cup tie.

"But we have to make sure the players again play at that tempo, and with the same belief and desire.

"If they do that for the next eight games then I think we'll get more than five points.

"But talking about it and doing it are two different things."

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