Returning Rob Edwards has warned his fellow Wolves defenders: “I won’t give up the shirt easily.”

The centre-back has made a succesful return after a string of injuries and the form of others kept him out of the side, and is determined to prove he’s more than just a stop-gap option for manger Mick McCarthy.

Edwards already faces stiff competition from club captain Gary Breen.

And with Neill Collins and Jody Craddock close to returns, he knows that his first team slot is far from secure.

But he intends to make up for lost time now that he’s managed to wrest the shirt from close friend Collins.

“I might have got it because of misfortune for other people, but I want to make the most of this chance – I’ve got the shirt and I don’t want to give it up,” he said.

“I’ve had to wait a long time for the chance and I feel like it’s mine to lose at the moment. 

“It was unfortunate for Neill that he had to go off the other day –he’s one of my best mates at the club and I do feel sorry for him.

“But thats football and there is no room for sentimentality in the game. There is only one person who can wear the shirt and you just work as hard as you can if you haven’t got it.”

McCarthy has praised the attitude of Edwards after he was dropped from the side despite a good performance in the Cup at Watford last week.  

“You can’t start sulking – you have to do yourself justice and you have to do the team justice too,” said Edwards. “You’ve got to prepare properly and you saw that on Tuesday. 

“I came on after ten minutes or so and hopefully did alright. 

“Obviously I was disappointed, but you have to deal with it straight away.”

“I’m not the kind of person who’d be knocking down the manager’s door, but he knows I want to play.

“There is a respect between me and the gaffer.

“He appreciates that I gave 100 per cent in everything I do and I think it’s the least you should expect from your players.”