Instead he decided not to pursue the matter and the 33-year-old former Wales midfielder joined Derby from Blackburn this week.

Ironically Savage's debut for the rock-bottom club is against Bruce's Wigan tomorrow.

The two men are friends again after they fell out when the Welshman wanted to leave St Andrews for Ewood Park.

Bruce said: "There was a piece of me who thought about bringing Robbie to Wigan but I decided against it.

"I have nothing against him. In football you fall out and I was disappointed at the time he wanted to leave Birmingham.

"But he shook me by the hand a couple of months ago and it was good to see him.

"We had three to four good years at Birmingham. He was a cult hero there. I don't think he will get that adoration anywhere else.

"Robbie can be annoying, we all know that, but he is infectious.

"He plays the game in the right spirit and is the type of person who can give a team a lift."

Bruce believes his side need at least another six victories if they are to retain their top-flight status.

With only four wins to their credit, they still have much work to do to reach that target.

However, Bruce is hoping to post another three points on the board at Pride Park.

He said: "I think you have to win 10 games to stay in the Premier League.

"The game against Derby is one you target for a victory, given they are in your part of the league.

"We know if we get the three points then we will stay out of the relegation zone. That is a big thing.

"We are showing a steady improvement - I thought we might be adrift after losing to Bolton.

"It was a good Christmas and new year. The only real blip was losing to Aston Villa when we deserved to get something out of the game.

"To get a point at Liverpool and then a cup win at Sunderland has given everyone a boost."

With former Wigan boss Paul Jewell now in charge of Derby, there will an extra edge to the match.

"Paul will want to put one over his old club but we are ready for the challenge," added Bruce.

Titus Bramble is available again after suspension while Antoine Sibierski has resumed training. He sustained a knee injury at Sunderland.

However, Ryan Taylor is likely to be sidelined because of a twisted ankle.