Robbie Savage opens up on making FOUR subs in first minute and why Forest Green boss 'does not expect a call' from bosses over exploiting loophole

Robbie Savage has claimed he is 'not expecting a phone call' to admonish his decision to make four substitutions in the first minute in a match on Tuesday night.

The Forest Green Rovers boss, formerly a Premier League star, attracted the attention from football fans for the unusual changes in his side's National League Cup tie against Wolves Under-21s.

Savage had taken the step to work around competition rules, which require teams to field at least four stars who started in their previous league game. 

Neil Kengni, Abraham Kanu, Tom Knowles and Kyle McAllister had all started in their 1-1 draw on Saturday and were named in the starting line-up on Tuesday. 

While Savage selected the quartet, he withdrew them at the first opportunity to allow them to rest ahead of their next match at the weekend.

Forest Green would ultimately go on to earn a 3-2 victory over Wolves in the cup tie. 

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Savage confirmed that his players were aware of his decision pre-match and the four substituted stars had not even warmed up for the fixture. 

‘It is quite complicated, it is within the rules,' Savage said. Those players didn’t warm up and the subs who knew they were coming on were part of the warm-up. 

'The other four walked onto the pitch, when the ball went out, they went off, got changed and went home.

‘The bottom line is we have won both games. We had seven academy players in the squad and we won. We are respecting the competition.'

Savage, who had previously withdrawn two players in the early stages of a win over West Brom's Under-21s, was asked whether he was expecting to receive a slap on the wrist for finding a way to work around the competition's rules.

The former Premier League star expressed confidence he will not receive a phone call and stressed Forest Green have played by the rules, while highlighting that they are not the only side to have made early changes.

‘I am not expecting a call, it is in the rules of the game and the competition. Let’s not forget we have won the game,' Savage said.

‘I am led to believe 12 National League sides taking on Under-21 sides. Ten National League sides won. I believe one team made three substitutions within the first three minutes and one other team did two in the first minute. 

'We get highlighted because of the profile of the football club. I am not expecting any phone call. We believe it is the right thing to do for our senior players. 

'It is a competition we have entered and want to win and we have done things to the letter.'

Savage has made a storming start to life at the New Lawn since taking over in July, winning eight of his 11 games in charge and drawing the other three. 

Rovers, who are owned by green energy magnate Dale Vince, sit second in the National League after picking up 21 points in nine games.

For Savage, this is a step up from managing at Macclesfield, where last season he won promotion from the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football.