MARK Hughes last night leapt to the defence of Robbie Savage, claiming the controversial Welshman is being unfairly targeted because of his past reputation.

The former Birmingham star, who was at the centre of the tunnel fracas at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, has come in for a barrage of abuse on and off the pitch since the turn of the year.

The problems started in the first leg of Rovers' Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester United at Ewood, when Savage was on the receiving end of a crunching tackle by Alan Smith that should have resulted in a red card for the United midfielder.

Instead, Savage was hammered in the media for trying to feign injury a claim that infuriated the player and his manager.

Three days later, the 31-year-old then appeared to be deliberately targeted again when Rovers met Bolton in a feisty Premiership encounter at Ewood.

Wanderers midfielder Stelios launched a verbal attack on Savage in the press on the morning of the game, in which he claimed his Rovers counterpart went out to hurt people.

Then, in the match itself, Savage found himself on the end of some rough stuff as Hidetoshi Nakata and Khalilou Fadiga both got booked for late tackles on the player inside the opening half hour.

That also appeared to be the case in Wednesday night's second leg with United, when Smith caught the midfielder with another crude lunge and Ruud Van Nistelrooy was lucky to escape a caution following a separate spat with the Welsh firebrand.

As a result, Savage became embroiled in an angry confrontation with Rio Ferdinand that led to the half-time dust-up in the tunnel and a fresh wave of negative headlines the following morning in the national press, where the Rovers player was painted out to be the villain of piece.

But, while Hughes admits that Savage brings some of his problems on himself, the Rovers boss also fears his star midfielder has now become an easy target for Premiership hatchet men and headline writers alike.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup fourth round clash with West Ham at Upton Park, Hughes said: "I'm concerned about the treatment Robbie's getting because he is the injured party in a lot of cases, yet he is being portrayed as the guilty party.

"It's probably because Robbie is an easy target. He will admit that in the past he has been in situations he shouldn't have been, but I don't think the current view of Robbie is fair.

"He has never been sent off in his club career and when he was sent off for Wales, he didn't deserve to be.

"He wants to get in to people and tackle people. That's his game "But people see him as an easy target on the field and Robbie's reputation often goes before him."

Outwardly, Savage would appear to enjoy all the attention and it's true he does revel in being seen as the villain at virtually every away ground he visits in the country.

But Hughes has revealed he also has a softer side, too, and he does take some of the criticism to heart, prompting the Rovers boss to admit there have been occasions when he's had to put a consoling arm around the combustible midfielder.

"I have to reassure him and talk to him," said the Rovers boss.

"For all the bravado, he's a sensitive soul and a likeable guy, and when he is having a hard time, he can sometimes feel it and I do talk to him."

West Ham's wind-up merchants will, no doubt, single Savage out for more special treatment tomorrow when Rovers switch their attention to the FA Cup.

However, Hughes believes his £3 million signing has the temperament to handle anything they might have planned for him.

"The reason Robbie hasn't been sent off (in his club career) is because he shows admirable self control," added Hughes.

"He has been criticised for staying down in the past, but maybe that's his way of calming down and counting to ten.

"It has been difficult for him in the last few weeks. He is damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't."