BIRMINGHAM City boss Steve Bruce has lost his tug-of-war battle with Wales boss Mark Hughes over Robbie Savage, writes Carson Wishart.

Bruce wanted influential midfielder Savage in his side to face Fulham in the Premiership on Sunday, November 17.

But Hughes has invoked a FIFA ruling which entitles him to have all his players report for international duty four days before the vital Euro 2004 qualifier with Azerbaijan on November 20.

Hughes has insisted that Savage turns up at Wales' Vale of Glamorgan HQ at 7pm on Saturday, November 16.

It also means Fulham's Andy Melville, Man United's Ryan Giggs, Everton's Mark Pembridge and Celtic's John Hartson will miss club matches.

The news comes after Everton manager David Moyes and Bruce appealed for Hughes to relent, Bruce promising he'd fly Savage to Cardiff after their game.

A source close to Bruce, Hughes' old Manchester United teammate, said: "He's tried to get Robbie but there's nothing he can do. The Welsh FA have said they want their players at 7pm Saturday night and that's it."

The Argus can also reveal the Premier League tried in vain to resolve the club v country crisis.

They appealed to Fulham to move their match with Birmingham forward to the Saturday, but manager Jean Tigana flatly refused because they play their UEFA Cup second round, second-leg tie against Dinamo Zagreb at Loftus Road 48 hours earlier.

A Fulham spokeswowan confirmed last night: "The Premier League has approached us about moving the game, but that really isn't an option for us because of our UEFA Cup tie.

"We're afraid the situation is a little bit at loggerheads at the moment. We are still seeking more clarification from the Welsh FA about the situation concerning Andy Melville."

The Premier League's Dan Johnson claims there are no plans to make appeals to the other clubs affected by Wales' tough stance.