Paul Jewell has told Robbie Savage he has a future at Derby, just so long as he gives his all at Pride Park.
The experienced Welshman looked to be on his way out of the club in the summer, despite only joining the Rams in the January transfer window.
Jewell has undertaken a drastic overhaul of his playing staff in pre-season, bringing in 11 new players following what was a dire campaign last time out.
It was widely reported Savage would head in the opposite direction but Jewell insists the 33-year-old will be treated the same as any other player.
"Robbie will be treated exactly the same as everybody else," Jewell told the Daily Mail.
"If they're not in the team and they're not happy they can go as long as that's right for us.
"I've said that if he gives his all, he'll get in the team. If he doesn't then he won't."
Having been backed unequivocally by his board over the summer, Jewell accepts the pressure is on to deliver.
"Last season I said the same thing time and time again after we lost.
"If I keep repeating myself again and again this season I will be playing a lot of golf in October."
