Robbie Savage has joined his manager Nigel Clough in believing Derby County can draw a huge amount of positives from Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Birmingham City.

The Rams bowed out of the competition at the 5th Round stage with a late 2-1 defeat to the Premier League side when a replay looked on the cards.

And Savage says the challenge now for the Rams is continue to produce the performances - and results - like they have been doing in recent weeks in the Championship.

"We can take a lot of positives from this; we were excellent again against a Premier League side," he told dcfc.co.uk after the game.

"Now we really must start producing against the so called lesser teams.

"Tuesday night is a massive game for us, if we can perform like we have been doing of late then we have a great chance.

"Everyone can see we are playing with confidence right now and it is important we keep doing that.

"We're all upbeat and there is plenty to be positive about for Derby County and we're all looking forward to Tuesday night back at Pride Park.

"Anyone who was at the game would have struggled to tell which side was the Premier League one."

Savage said the defeat to his former club was 'heartbreaking'.

"I think a draw would have been fair overall and it is heartbreaking to lose in the manner we did," he said.

"Once we got into our stride after the first twenty minutes I think we were on top for long spells.

"Birmingham didn't threaten too much to be honest until they got level, and even after that they didn't have a chance until the winner.

"Two set pieces cost us ultimately, which is poor for our standards."

The Rams skipper almost notched a dramatic late equaliser, but England international Joe Hart came to Birmingham's rescue.

He commented: "It was a great save from Joe Hart; it was a 'worldie'

"It that had gone in I think I would have been sent off for my celebrations!"