Dave Edwards: Promotion will keep Sako

Midfielder Dave Edwards today urged Wolves to win promotion again so they can keep star man Bakary Sako.

Sako is out of contract at the end of the season and has scored five goals in the first 11 games.

Wolves boss Kenny Jackett wants to keep the Mali international, but having signed when the club had just been relegated from the Premier League, the 26-year-old's £25,000-a-week earnings fall well above the levels of the current squad.

Edwards said: "We're lucky to have him and hopefully we can go up to the Premier League together so the club hasn't got a decision to make on his contract.

"But I'm sure the club are doing all they can to keep him. It's up to Sako and the club to see what happens but it will definitely make it easier to keep him if we're in the Premier League next season.

"Hopefully that's something we can achieve. He's a Premier League player – everyone at the club knows that because he's got so much ability."

Sako was Wolves' equal 13-goal top scorer last season and Edwards believes the former St Etienne wide man has become a major player for the club.

The Wales international said: "The season we got relegated he was our best player and then last season his goals and assists were there for all to see, as they are this year.

"He's a key player because even if he's having a bad game, he can produce that moment of quality. He did it on Wednesday and Saturday to try to get us back into the game.

"He's a very good professional and he's got that quality you really need in this league – he's one of those who's going to give his all."

Edwards believes Sako will hit double figures again this season, saying: "He's always going to get double figures with the power he's got in his left foot.

"He really is a great finisher – if you watch him in training, he's got so much power that a lot of the time the ball is past the goalkeeper before they can even see it."

"I can only dream of hitting a ball that hard but you also have to look at the assists he gets, because he put in some great deliveries from the corners on Saturday and he's key to us."