BLACKBURN Rovers mid-fielder Robbie Savage will sign for Derby County today.

Derby manager Paul Jewell has won the race for the 33-year-old after meeting Rovers' valuation, and Savage will link up with the Rams today in a deal that could eventually be worth £2million.

Both County and Sunderland tabled improved offers for the former Welsh international yesterday.

Derby lodged an initial bid of £1.5m up front, with further payments on top based on various conditions - an offer that was also matched by Sunderland's Roy Keane, who wanted Savage to boost the Black Cats' relegation fight.

However, although both of those bids were knocked back by Rovers, Jewell then came back with an improved offer which was accepted last night.

Savage had set his heart on a move to Pride Park, rather than the Stadium of Light, because it is nearer to his Cheshire home.

And although the Rams look doomed to relegation from the Premier League, the midfielder believes Jewell is the man to revive the club's fortunes in the long-term.

The Welsh firebrand is even taking a £5k-a-week pay-cut in order to make the deal happen because he is desperate to play regular first-team football.

Savage's future was discussed by the Rovers board at a routine monthly meeting yesterday and the decision was taken to press ahead with plans to sell him, provided a club met manager Mark Hughes' valuation.

Rovers are now in line to recoup more than half of the £3 million they paid for Savage three years ago, which represents a decent piece of business for a player of his age.