Next season is ours - Wolves ace

Wolves midfielder David Edwards admits missing out on the play-offs could be a blessing because the team isn’t yet ready for the Premier League.

Fans are still smarting at the failure to make the top six by a single goal which consigned Mick McCarthy’s side to another season of Championshiop football.

But Edwards, who has already played in the Conference, League One and Two and now Championship, believes the young squad will be better for missing out because promotion could have been damaging to the squad.

“It was heartbreaking to miss out on the play-offs and the chance to get to the Premier League because everyone wants to be there,” said the 22-year-old, who won promotion to the Football League with Shrewsbury.

“But if we’d gone up there would have been a lot of players who weren’t quite ready for it, myself included.

“The manager would have had to spend a lot of money and revamp the squad completely and a lot of lads would probably have been left in the dark.

“With another season in the Championship where we can prove ourselves and get better, we’ll be better placed if we did get up for that extra experience and quality.

“I’ve played Conference, League Two, League One and Championship and don’t think I’ve proved myself at Championship level yet.

“I want to have a really good season next season, touch wood stay injury free, and show the fans what I can do and then hopefully play in the Premiership.”

After telling McCarthy his job is safe, owner-chairman Steve Morgan has spelt out exactly what he expects next season - automatic promotion.

Edwards believes Wolves should be encouraged by Morgan’s bullish statement, rather than feel it as an extra burden.