Dean Keates urges caution over Joe Edwards return
Dean Keates wants Walsall supporters to be patient with last season’s star player Joe Edwards once he returns from a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Versatile midfielder Edwards has stepped up his recovery from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury over the past couple of weeks.
The 28-year-old could be back in action before the end of the month, but Keates knows it may take a while for him to reach the heights which saw him voted player of the 2017/18 campaign by Saddlers fans.
When asked if it is important not to expect too much too soon from vice-skipper Edwards, the Walsall chief said: “Definitely.
“It’s been a long-term injury and, at one point, it may have been career threatening.
“Full credit to Joe for how he’s got his head down.
“He’s worked well with Rev (physio Marc Czuczman) and it won’t be too long before we’ve got him back out there, contributing.”
Edwards sustained the injury in a 2-1 loss to Blackburn in February, so is yet to play under Keates.
He signed a new 12-month contract, with the option of a further year, in June.
Keates added: “He’s doing really well. He’s back out, joining in with training, a lot more active. He’s still not there yet but he’s close.”
