By Aydan Anderson
January 6 2005

Robbie Savage played his first game since handing in a transfer request.... for Birmingham City Reserves. Savage played in a youthful line-up against Newcastle Reserves on a cold night at Damson Park.

Blues midfielder Robbie Savage played in Blues Reserves 1-1 draw with Newcastle Reserves following his decision to hand in a transfer request.

Savage took part in 85 minutes of the game which attracted a big attendance for a reserve match. The midfielder was boo'ed by sections of the crowd throughout but the reception was not as bad as it could have been.

The crowd were split into boo'ing Sav and cheering him on. The game itself gave the Welshman a chance to keep his match fitness as he will be suspended for the weekend game against Leeds. Savage had a decent game under the circumstances but was never 100% commited to the match.

The reception he received when he was substituted will give the midfielder some consolation as he was applauded by a large number of the fans in attendance. On the basis of this game Savage may still have a future at the club should he withdraw his request and apoligise to the manager and club.

Blues reserves drew the game 1-1 with Matthew Birley scoring for Blues while Guy Bates equilised in the second half for the Geordies. The game also saw the first appearance in a blues shirt for Finnish Under-21 international, and new signing, Njazi Kuqi. 

Kuqi had a decent game after taking a while to get going in the cold conditions at Solihul Borough's Damson Park ground. He has a few decent efforts the best of which was a shot that came back of the Newcastle upright.

The game itself though will be remembered for Robbie Savage's first appearance for the blues second string.