Savage, out of favour at Derby County whose manager Paul Jewell had made the former Wales international midfielder available for loan, had been approached by Wrexham chairman Geoff Moss.

Moss wanted to bring in Wrexham-born Savage to boost the Reds' promotion bid and undertake a coaching role.

Finances would have allowed Moss to make the big name signing, but Savage was not earmarked as a replacement for Brian Little, who left by mutual consent on Saturday.

Savage instead joined League One outft Brighton and Hove Albion on a month's loan after Derby has a change of heart about him joining the Reds.

And the 33-year-old, whose contract at Pride Park runs until the summer of 2010, admitted he would have jumped at the chance of helping his hometown club by joining on loan.

"I had a chat with Geoff Moss to see if I could help in any way. Geoff was very keen," said Savage.

"I always said I would play for Wrexham one day. I think it will happen but not just yet, and one day I would like to be manager at Wrexham.

"I wanted to help Wrexham as they are my hometown club and I did definitely consider it. Geoff knows how passionate I am about Wrexham.

"If it was a case of just playing in the Conference there wouldn't be a chance, but the opportunity to work with someone like Brian Carey did appeal to me.

"I wanted to get the experience of a coaching and a managing position. People have got such an opinion of me but it shows I was willing to play in the Conference.

"It would have helped me get match fit and helped me on the learning curve for coaching and managing. It could have happened and it was a nice gesture for Derby to consider letting me go.

"Derby said they will pay the majority of my wages because a lot of clubs would not be able to afford them."

Savage, who joined Derby from Blackburn for £1.5 million in January but has been restricted to just one league start this season, is keen to go into management when his playing career comes to an end.

But having reiterated his desire to manage Wrexham in the future, Savage has no intention of ending his playing days just yet.

"I am looking to the next stage of my career but I want to concentrate on playing at the moment," said Savage. "If my Derby contract was over and this came up it would be the perfect opportunity. Look at Paul Ince and what he did at Macclesfield.

"I'm 34 in a few weeks and people say I am not like I used to be. But I've got experience and can offer Derby something if I'm match fit."

Savage was full of admiration for what Moss, currently looking for Wrexham's fourth manager in less than two years, is trying to achieve at the club.

"This proves what a good bloke Geoff is," said Savage. "Geoff is very positive and wants to get it right on the pitch. It shows how much he wants to do well for Wrexham.

"Geoff has got great ambitions for the club and he has got one or two more surprises which are going to be great for Wrexham."

Former Manchester United trainee Savage, who comes from Bradley, is hoping to force his way back into Jewell's plans with regular football during his spell at Brighton.

The Seagulls are managed by Micky Adams, Savage's former manager at Leicester and Savage added: "I have gone to Brighton to help Micky Adams who was my boss at Leicester. I have got a great rapport with Micky."