Walsall to continue Joe Edwards contract talks
Walsall boss Jon Whitney says contract talks with Joe Edwards will continue in the next few weeks despite the midfielder suffering a season-ending injury.
The 27-year-old is potentially facing nine months on the sidelines after injuring his anterior cruciate knee ligament in last weekends loss to Blackburn.
Edwards is out of contract in the summer with his impressive performances this season understood to have led to interest from other clubs in League One.
But Whitney is confident Edwards will be a Walsall player next season.
“Joe will come back stronger and fitter from this injury because he is such a good professional,” the boss said.
“We’re going to sit down with Joe over the next couple of weeks regarding contract status.
“He has seen a specialist and we’d like to get him in for an operation as early as we can.
“For now he just has to concentrate on his operation. And then we’ll sit down and talk about the future. Joe has already started doing some strengthening exercises. He is being proactive which shows just what type of professional he is.”
As well as being a loss on the pitch, Edwards is also a big miss off it with the former Yeovil man one of the loudest voices in the changing room.
But Whitney says Walsall’s vice-captain will still play a big role in the final few months of the season.
“We are going to do all we can to make his rehab varied and enjoyable,” Whitney continued.
“And Joe is a really strong character. He will still be a big influence on this group for the remainder of this season as well.
“He has still got a big role to play.
“It’s not just on the field where he is a big player for us. Off the field, he is important for the team morale.
“But first and foremost we need to pick Joe up. It’s up to us as a group to give Joe some love and support to get him through this difficult period.
“Then I’m sure, in a few weeks, Joe will come in with a smile on his face.
“I understand from my injuries as a player, it’s disappointing but you can turn it into a positive.
“He has the temperament to deal with this and become stronger from it. I can see Joe using it as a positive to push on in other departments.”
