Full steam ahead

Cup fever has swept through Blackburn over the last 24 hours after Rovers reached their first semi-final in 45 years thanks to Sunday's 1-0 win over Leicester.

And now Rovers are gearing up for their eagerly anticipated clash with Arsenal at The Millennium Stadium after yesterday's draw paired the two clubs together in the last four.

The FA's decision to stage both semi-finals in Cardiff has been heavily criticised by supporters groups from United and Newcastle, who would prefer to see their semi-final tie take place at Leeds United's Elland Road.

However, Blackburn fans would appear to be relishing the prospect of a trip to the Principality and Rovers' chief executive John Williams has quashed claims that talks have taken place in an attempt to switch the venue for their tie with Arsenal.

"This is an experiment (to play both semi-finals in Cardiff) and the FA have come to this decision with the Millennium Stadium," said Williams.

"I don't think it's ideal for fans to be travelling all that way but, as far as I'm aware, the decision is set in stone.

"No discussions have taken place between us and Arsenal about changing the venue.

"We are preparing for the game being at Cardiff and it promises to be a great occasion for our fans."

Rovers have already started planning for the semi-finals and they were due to stage an internal meeting today to discuss preliminary arrangements.

However, the club may not find out until later this week when their tie with the Gunners is likely to take place because the situation has been complicated by Newcastle's involvement in the UEFA Cup.

Meanwhile, Robbie Savage claims the Wales set-up has become a "shambles" under John Toshack following the departure of his Blackburn club boss Mark Hughes.

The midfielder admitted he was "gutted" to have been axed for the next two World Cup qualifiers against Austria later this month but will not go back on his decision to retire from international football in the wake of Toshack's decision.

The new Wales chief phoned Savage yesterday morning to inform the 30 year-old he wanted to try something new for the Wales matches in Cardiff on March 26 and in Vienna four days later.

And Savage has rounded on Toshack to criticise his new regime.

He said: "I couldn't see how the Welsh set-up had gone from a professional one under Mark Hughes to a shambles under John Toshack.

"I think it has gone beyond footballing matters and I think it is personal and I am not travelling around to carry the skips.

"Mark crossed every I and dotted every T and I am not saying this because he is my club manager."

Savage suggested he knew he had got off on the wrong foot with Toshack when the former Real Madrid manager travelled to Birmingham to discuss the future.

The Rovers midfielder said: "The first time he came to see me in Birmingham he talked about himself for 20 minutes.

"The man obviously doesn't like me. If I had played five games for Wales and played rubbish, I would hold my hands up but I have given everything I have got for Wales, 39 caps and a successful time.

"If it is purely a footballing decision, well I can't understand it. If he is telling me that I am not good enough to get into the Wales squad, you tell me.

"I'm not the greatest player in the world but I do add things to a team on and off the field, I think the Wales lads will miss me but I know it is not for a footballing reason.

"You can't leave someone out of a squad who has 270 Premier League games and almost 40 caps on a footballing basis."

Savage announced his decision to retire yesterday, as we revealed in our later editions.