The Swansea City midfielder says that coming face to face with the likes of Savage is always a big challenge but one that he is looking forward to when they line up this afternoon.
Allen told the Western Mail Iโve played against him twice now
โThe gameย at Derby last year especially was an experience for me.
โHe left his foot in a couple of times, but you expect that and heโs still a player you enjoy testing yourself against.
โBecause of the type of player he is, you know itโs going to be tough and itโs a battle. But you look forward to those challenges as a player.
โAnd itโs nothing malicious with him โ heโs great off the pitch, you just know youโre in for a tough afternoon on it.
We spoke briefly after that Wales game against Scotland
โHe was great,โ Allen said. โHe told me he thought I did well when I came on and thatโs really nice to hear because, whatever people think of him, heโs a player whoโs been there and done it. Heโs been at the top level, played international and Premier Leagueย footballย for years and been around the game a long time. So heโs someone you should respect.
โHe didnโt have to go out of his way like that and perhaps thatโs a side people donโt see.
โWe try not to get hung up on the fact we probably should have got four more points from the last two games,โ said Allen.
โIt wonโt do you any favours thinking along those lines because it can affect what youโre trying to achieve.
โI think itโs important for us to get a win to put all that behind us, but itโs always important for us to get a win.
โAnd it wonโt mean weโll be going gung-ho for the points. We just have to play the same way we have this year and have faith that our quality will win us the match.โ