Joe Edwards signs new deal with Walsall

The versatile midfielder, who is currently sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, saw his previous deal with the Saddlers expire at the end of June.

Edwards missed the last 13 games of the 2017/18 campaign after injuring his knee against Blackburn in February.

But his performances last year still saw him voted the club's player of the season by supporters.

In total he has made 82 appearances for the Saddlers, and scored 10 goals, since joining on a free transfer from Colchester in 2016.

“It feels good to have signed a new deal,” Edwards said.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’ve made a good connection with the fans and the club.

“I really appreciated being named the supporters’ player of the season and I hope I can repay them by returning to that sort of form and doing well for the team.

“My injury is progressing really well. I’m working hard in the gym and building my leg back up. Everything so far is positive and it’s been nice seeing the boys back in training.

“We’re not putting a date on it. It’s a long-term injury that you’ve got to be patient and careful with.

“But I’m hopeful the Saddlers fans will see me for a large part of the season.

"I’m really looking forward to getting back on the pitch and playing in front of the fans again.

“It’s massive for me to stay here and continue my rehab.”

While Edwards stopped short of setting a date for his return, boss Dean Keates has previously said he hopes to see the 27-year-back in action in November.

Speaking in May, Keates said: All being well, because his rehab has gone well, we are looking at him returning in November.

"That’s when we’d like to see him back on the first-team pitch and that’s without me being too optimistic.

"He is going to be like a new signing for me. He has been injured since I took over."