Savage won't quit

Last updated : 10 September 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

Savage threatened to quit after he was sent off in the early stages of Wales' 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

He said he was seriously considering his international future after picking up the first red card of his professional career when he tussled with Michael Hughes.

However, he now appears to have changed his mind, telling the BBC: "I just love playing for Wales.

"The emotion of playing in front of 65,000 people at the Millennium Stadium is something I could never turn my back on.

"A tackle like that is a disgrace. Hughes was trying to break my legs.

"But I'm bigger and better than him and always will be. I got up after the tackle but I didn't even raise my hands.

"It was the normal reaction of anybody. I'm fiery and that's what I get paid for.

"Then I got pushed over again, so to get sent off I couldn't believe it. But it's not about me, it's about the team.

"They fought back well in the second half and credit to all the players on the pitch. I've let them, the manager, everybody down."

FIFA have told the Football Association of Wales that they have no grounds to appeal so Savage will definitely miss next month's Group Six qualifier against England at Old Trafford.