Edwards set for comeback at Villa

Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards is set to make his first-team comeback in the West Midlands derby at Villa next Saturday.

The Wales international returned to full training on Monday for his first week's complete session work for three months, after being sidelined with an ankle injury.

Boss Mick McCarthy said: "Dave Edwards is training. He's not fit for this weekend, but he might be next weekend. That would be a real plus."

Edwards did not expect to be in senior contention until the last five games of the season, which would have ruled him out until the Staffordshire derby against Stoke on April 3. But this latest bulletin means the 24-year-old could be back in action much sooner.

Exiled striker Stefan Maierhofer is also back in contention, after coming through training yesterday with no reaction to his ankle injury.

But it is the form of another big striker, Chris Iwelumo, that is also occupying McCarthy's mind.

The club have to decide whether to recall the Scotland international, or allow him to extend his stay beyond the agreed 28 days after the weekend.

McCarthy said: "I haven't made a decision yet. We could loan him with a 24-hour recall after the first 28 days. He's sharper. He needed the games."

Iwelumo is due to play the last game of his scheduled stint tomorrow at Reading, after which McCarthy has to decide what to do.

But the manager was nonetheless thrilled to see Iwelumo score the winner at Crystal Palace in midweek, especially after driving all the way to Selhurst Park to watch the game.

He said: "The game was poor and the goal was like a polished gem in comparision. It was an unbelievable piece of quality in a hard fought, scrappy game with not a great deal of quality."