The Rams' relegation fate looks almost sealed after winning just one match all season leaving them at the foot of the table and 13 points behind their nearest rivals.

The 33-year-old accepts that he will be playing Championship football with the club next season but admits it will be difficult to come to terms with.

"The last 11 years I have always known Premier League football," Savage said. "I wind some of my mates up who play in the Championship telling them I couldn't stay up until 4am in the morning to watch the highlights on Granada.

"It is going to be a new thing for me and before our game against Manchester United last week I said: 'Let's go and enjoy ourselves because we might not play against them ever again.'

Savage has spent over a decade in the top flight and joined struggling Derby from Blackburn Rovers in January hoping to inspire their survival hopes.

His hopes of playing for Wrexham, the club he grew up with, are now on hold as Savage aims to secure an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League next season with Derby.

"It is going to be a challenge but if I can lead Derby back up and then have one more year in the Premier League that will be me finished," he added.

"I would be 34 if we come straight back with one year left in the Premier League and I would love that even if I was a bit part player. I did think I would one day play for Wrexham but this will be my last club."