Paul Jewell has refused to criticise Robbie Savage after the Derby County midfielder risked provoking an angry reaction from team-mates and officials when he reported for training in a new £160,000 Mercedes.

Savage, nonetheless, is expected to be dropped against Sunderland tomorrow following a number of disappointing performances since he arrived from Blackburn Rovers for £1.5m last month.

With only one league victory all season, and just nine points on the board in total, Derby appear unlikely to pass the record-low 15 points Sunderland collected in 2003.

Jewell admitted Sunderland's tally is an additional motivation but insists that promotion next term is the priority.