Wolves' Dave Edwards: I'm back in love with the game

Dave Edwards today celebrated his new deal by declaring Wolves must target the play-offs on their return to the Championship.

The 28-year-old midfielder has signed a new two-year deal to extend his stay to eight-and-a-half years at Molineux.

And the Wales international is convinced he will be part of a third promotion assault after being part of the successful squads of last season and 2008-09.

"I've no doubt within the squad we're going to be up there and fighting to be in and around it," said Edwards.

"I think you have to be aiming and looking towards the top six.

"You're not going to go into a division and just looking to survive or consolidate.

"We're going to go into every game trying to win it.

"I'm not sure what the expectation is going to be outside the club but inside we know what we want to do and aim for and hopefully we can carry that out.

"It's a tough division and it always feels so different to other divisions.

"Last season we could maybe get away with it from time to time because of our technical ability which was able to win us games.

"This season it's going to be a lot more physical – I think we've got the technical ability to do well but it will also be about how quickly we adapt physically.

"Anyone who's played in the Championship knows it's end to end, rough and tumble and the lads new to it will have to pick that up quickly."

Edwards paid tribute to head coach Kenny Jackett for keeping faith in him despite his niggling injuries – and the fans, who ended the season chanting his name for the first time.

"I've got a lot to thank the gaffer for – he backed me, put me in the team and gave me a role which brings the best out of me," he said.

"I need to thank the gaffer and Joe Gallen, and the fans as well.

"Over the years I've never been a fans' favourite but to get towards the end of last year and hear them singing my name when I came off at the last game of the season meant a lot to me and my family.

"It felt like I was building a relationship with them again and I certainly want to try to be here for many years to come.

"I hope the fans can see I always give 100 per cent and hopefully they can see my footballing ability as well.

"I try to get into areas where I can affect the game and I'm able to do that thanks to my workrate.

"I hope the fans know every time I step onto the pitch and every day in training I give my all and that will always be the case."

And after ending the record-breaking campaign with nine goals from just 22 starts in the League, Edwards admitted he didn't want the season to end.

"I was probably one of the few who didn't want the season to finish," he added.

"Everyone was ready for summer but I wanted to carry the season on because I was playing games regularly and felt like I'd got into some really good form.

"I felt as fit as I had since we were in the Premier League.

"Hopefully I can continue all that into next season because I feel really good about myself and am back in love with the game.

"After the successive relegations and the injuries I was picking up, it was tough and I didn't really feel I was where I wanted to be with my football."