Dave Edwards in danger of missing ‘special’ Wolves tie
Dave Edwards is erring on the side of caution as he battles to be involved in Shrewsbury’s FA Cup tie against former club Wolves.
The 32-year-old injured his groin on his Salop comeback against Charlton 11 days ago.
He was out on the grass in training at Shrewsbury’s Sundorne training base yesterday and, if he suffers no reaction, will train with his team-mates tomorrow in a bid to make Sam Ricketts’ squad against Wolves.
Edwards says it would be ‘extra special’ to be involved against the side he played more than 250 times for in nine years.
“It’s still up in the air a little bit at the moment,” said Edwards, who overcame a long-term knee injury before re-signing for Town.
“It’s nothing serious but with me being out for so long leading into 2019, I think the physios have taken the right precautions to make sure I’m available for the rest of the season rather than getting me back as quick as possible.
“I’ve been building up my fitness.
“ I feel like I’m at a good place but I’ve got to see how it goes. I really feel I need a good two or three days training to be in consideration.
“It’s a bit time critical at the moment! I’m out on the grass again (yesterday), hopefully I can come through and look to train tomorrow. But the bigger picture for me is being fit for the rest of the season. It’s a game I’d love to be involved in but, at the same time, if I’m not right I won’t put my hand up to be involved.
“I want to be fit for the rest of the season and give my all to Shrewsbury.”
The former Wales international added: “Of course I want to play, not in a million years would I be able to start but to be involved on the bench would be very special.
“Either way I’ll be at the stadium enjoying the atmosphere. My ties to Wolves, nearly 10 amazing years there, it would be extra special to get on the pitch at some point.”
Ricketts admitted he faces a tough decision of head-versus-heart when considering Edwards’ selection.
He said: “It’s a tough one because as much as everyone would love him to be involved I don’t want to rush him back in and be out for longer.”
Edwards, meanwhile, is all too aware of the importance of the game having been regaled with stories of the last FA Cup meeting between the clubs in the 1979 quarter-final – thanks to his father Randle and late grandfather Charlie, both big Shrewsbury fans.
“Any Shrewsbury fan from that era will say how great it was,” said Edwards.
“If you can get a result it’ll be a day you remember for the rest of your life.”
Edwards experienced his share of blood and thunder Black Country derbies against Albion and was in the Shrewsbury ranks that battled with Wrexham, Chester and Co in the early 2000s.
He knows the prospect of Saturday’s clash, the 11th meeting of the clubs (three Shrewsbury wins, four Wolves wins and four draws), is a different kind of local derby.
“While there’s a rivalry between the two clubs, I always think that it’s quite friendly,” he said.
“It’s not as hostile as Wolves and Baggies or anything like that. Obviously the size of the clubs are different – and Shrewsbury would be first to admit that.
“Wolves look at Shrewsbury in a fond light, a good football club from a lovely area and I don’t think there’s any hatred in any way.”
He added: “Ever since the draw was made I’ve been inundated with messages off Wolves fans, again none whatsoever negative in any aspect.
“Then you get the hundreds of people asking for tickets which are obviously impossible to get.”
Edwards added with a smile: “Hopefully they won’t get a goal and it’ll be us celebrating.”
