ROBBIE Savage today admitted he lost nearly a stone in weight because he felt so low after breaking his leg.

The former Wales international confessed he fell into a deep depression after he fractured his right fibula following a late challenge by Watford's Al Bangura during last month's Premiership defeat at Vicarage Road.

Left devastated by the news that his season could be over, Savage felt so desolate in the immediate aftermath of that prognosis he could barely bring himself to eat.

But then the 32-year-old suddenly had a reality check when he heard about the plight of a five-year-old Rovers fan, who was recovering in hospital after having his leg amputated, and he instantly stopped feeling sorry for himself.

"Breaking my leg has probably been harder to deal with than the disappointment of getting released by Manchester United," said Savage.

"When I first did it, I was so down it was unbelievable.

"I lost three quarters of a stone just through being depressed because I felt so low I didn't want to eat.

"But then one day I went into the training ground and one of the secretaries was passing a card around and asked if I'd sign it.

"It was for a five-year-old boy, who had a problem with his leg, and when I asked what was wrong with him they said he was having it amputated.

"That suddenly put everything into perspective and I immediately stopped feeling sorry for myself because it made me reaslise there's a Hell of a lot of people out there who are far worse off than me in life.

"Okay, so I've got a broken leg and I won't play football again for a few months, but at least I'll get better. This young lad has lost his leg."

Thankfully, Savage is now on the road back to fitness and he hasn't ruled out the possibility of playing again this season, particularly if Rovers manage to extend their campaign by reaching the final of either the UEFA or FA Cups.

The former Birmingham star is already walking freely again, less than three weeks after undergoing an operation to insert a pin in his leg.

And boosted by a sackload of well-wishes, including one off popstar Robbie Williams, Savage is determined to get back playing again within the next three months.

"I've had so many letters from well-wishers. I didn't realise I was so popular," quipped the Welshman.

"I even got one from Robbie Williams, who passed on his best wishes through a friend of Brad Friedel.

"Another guy wrote to me and said there are two kinds of people in this world.

There are those who are never the same again after something like this, and there are others who come back bigger and stronger. And I want to get back bigger and stronger.

"I know it's a long shot but I still haven't ruled out getting back in time for the end of the season.

"When Jamie Carragher broke his leg with Liverpool, he was back playing again in under four months, and I want to try and do the same.

"It's driving me mad not being able to play and there have been times when I've been beside myself.

"When you've got a broken leg people automatically think that's it, but it affects your mental state as well.

"I know footballers earn great money, we drive flash cars, and own big houses. But those are just trimmings.

"At the end of the day, all I want to do is play football and when you can't it's hard."