Express & Star

Joe Edwards feeling sharp after Walsall injury nightmare

Midfielder Joe Edwards believes he is starting to rediscover his match sharpness after battling back from a serious knee injury.

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The 28-year-old, who ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last February, made his long awaited return from injury in the Checkatrade Trophy clash with Shrewsbury last month.

Edwards followed that display with another appearance from the bench against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day.

And he has now started Walsall’s last five games with the former Yeovil man particularly bright in the draw with Luton and win at Gillingham.

“The frustrating thing is when I had my injury I was really enjoying my football and probably playing the best football of my career,” Edwards said.

“The goal I’ve set to to prove that form wasn’t a one-off.

“I really enjoyed the Luton game – I felt I came back strongly and did well – and it was nice to get another start straight away at Charlton.

“It takes a few matches to get up to the speed of the game, your positioning, making sure you’re doing the right things on the ball, but that’ll come in time.

“And now I wouldn’t say my match sharpness is far off.

“As long as I can get consistent game time over the next few weeks, I imagine I’ll be back firing.

“It may take longer to get a consistency to my levels, but the more game time I get, the quicker that should come. I’m working very hard to get back there.”

Edwards admits, on a personal level, his main aim for the season is to stay fit and playing.

But he is also desperate to put in performances for Walsall’s fans – who crowned him player of the year despite him missing the last two month of the 2017/18 campaign.

“The target for me is to stay fit, get in as many games as possible and help the team climb back up the table,” the midfielder continued.

“I want to get back to the level of performance I had last year and add goals and assists.

“After such a long period out, it’d be nice to get a good six months of regular games into my legs.

“And hopefully I can put in some strong performances that will help us climb back up the table for the fans.

“From the moment I suffered the injury, I got loads of messages of support. They voted me player of the year and throughout that period they would ask me how I was and come up and speak to me at games.

“I don’t think they realise how much that helps me mentally. Hopefully I can repay them with my performances between now and the end of the season.”

Edwards has been deployed in a midfield diamond and in a more traditional midfield two since forcing his way into Dean Keates’ starting line-up.

He has previously played on the left wing and at full-back. And he feels it’s in midfield he plays his best football.

“The diamond suits me as a player,” Edwards added.

“I’ve got a lot of energy and can get about the pitch. Either side of the diamond you need that, so it’s a good position for me.

“It’s a lot of running and a lot of hard work as you have to get yourself wide at times.

“But it also allows you to tuck in and add another midfielder into the centre of the pitch.

“But I’m happy anywhere in midfield. I played towards the left last season, which allowed me to drift inside and get the goals I did.

“I ended up with seven goals – I was hoping to get to 10 before the injury but it was still my best return.

“Box to box is perfect for my game as I’ve got plenty of energy to get up and down.

“Now I’ve added goals and assists, that should take me to the next level and I want to keep improving.”