BLACKBURN ROVERS midfielder Robbie Savage today revealed his biggest fear - seeing Rovers lose their place in the Premier League to Birmingham City.

While Rovers hover precariously above the Premier League's relegation zone, Birmingham are looking hot favourites for a swift return to the top-flight after manager Steve Bruce has guided them to the Championship's summit.

But Savage is determined to lead Rovers out of trouble, starting at Reading tomorrow, because swapping places with Birmingham would be his worst nightmare.

The former Welsh international, who quit St Andrews in acrimonious circumstances two years ago, said: "Birmingham are a great club and I am sure they will come back up because they have done fantastically this year.

"But the one thing I don't want to happen is for them to pass us on the way - because that would be a devastating blow to me.

"I thought I had left those relegation battles behind, but there is a saying that this Premier League can kick you in the teeth.

"If you are not on your game every week you can get punished.

"There are no bad teams in the Premier League.

"Everybody can beat everybody and that has been proved this year.

"When we finished sixth last year, people said we over-achieved.

"But we all worked hard and we have not changed anything this year.

"We have lost Craig Bellamy and had three big players injured, and that makes a difference to any team."

A disastrous run of six defeats in eight league games has plunged Rovers into trouble near the foot of the Premier League, where they are two points and one place above the bottom three going into this weekend's fixtures.

However, Savage remains convinced that he and his team-mates can turn things around. starting at the Madejski Stadium.

"Our Premier League form is vital - crucial - and we have got to start winning games," said Savage.

"We have got to push on. We don't want to be scrapping away.

"We have got some hard games coming up. Reading away, Arsenal away and Liverpool at home.

"But I am confident in the players and certainly confident in the manager and the staff. I have never worked for a better manager.

"We need to stay up, our livelihoods depend on it, and our Premiership status is more important than winning the UEFA Cup."