ROBBIE Savage wants to show Blackburn Rovers fans that he's one of the best midfielders in the Premiership.

The confident Welshman has had a frustrating time since joining from Birmingham City in January but insists Blackburn will finally see the best of him when the new season gets under way.

The 30-year-old kicked off the summer by having a minor operation on a groin injury, sustained against Norwich City in February, which hampered his first four months at Rovers.

But despite hardly being able to train and playing through the pain barrier, Savage fully understands the fans' frustration that he hasn't yet lived up to his star billing at Ewood.

"That's a fair comment," said Savage. "The disappointing thing for me is that in the short time I've been here I haven't really gone into a game without fearing injury.

"People don't see that when you cross that white line, they see that you're fit. It's not an excuse but now the operation's done, I've got no excuses.

"I know that a fit me is as good as anybody, not the likes of Gerrard, Keane and Vieira, but as good as anyone else in the Premier League.

"And it's fair to say that next year my performances week in, week out will be like they were against Chelsea when I first came here, so I'm looking forward to it.

"Every club I've been at I've been a huge success and no-one has seen the best of me, because I know week in, week out I've got the potential to be one of the best players at this club and I know I will be."

Savage returned to Ewood Park yesterday to model Blackburn's new black and silver away kit.

It co-incided with the announcement that the club has struck a sponsorship deal with sports outlet Sports World International, which will see Lonsdale appear on the front of the shirts for the next two years.

The new deal marks the first anniversary of Sports World International taking over as the club's retail trading arm and kit supplier.

Rovers will unveil their new home strip next month.

Meanwhile, Everton boss David Moyes is reported to be chasing Newcastle's Craig Bellamy after failing to complete a deal to sign Chelsea's Mikael Forssell.

Moyes had lined up a move for Forssell but the Finnish international is allegedly struggling to convince Everton's medical staff that he has recovered from a knee operation and the Toffees boss is now thought to have switched his attention to Bellamy instead.

Both players have also been linked with summer moves to Rovers.

In the meantime, Sunderland are expected to start talks with Jonathan Stead at some point later this week.

Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy had a £1.5 million offer accepted by Rovers for the striker last week but they had to wait for Stead to return from holiday before they could begin formal discussions.

However, the 22-year-old is now back in this country and negotiations are due to start shortly, with Stead expected to agree a move to the Stadium of Light.