Walsall's Joe Edwards targeting ‘best day of his career’

The Saddlers travel to take on their West Midlands rivals today knowing they have to win the game to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

As well as doing their bit, Martin O’Connor’s side also need two of three results elsewhere to go in their favour.

For Edwards – who looks set to start in midfield ­– survival would allow him to close the door on a tough 15 months.

The 28-year-old, who won promotion to the Championship with Yeovil in 2013, suffered a career-threatening knee injury in February last year.

And now fully fit, he is desperate to help Walsall avoid the drop.

“I’ve had promotion and relegation in my career and I have a feeling – if this goes our way – it will top the lot,” Edwards said.

“Even the promotion, just because of the outside chance we’ve had in the last couple of weeks.

“To do it on the last day would be unbelievable.

“And for me personally, a year ago this month, I was learning to walk again.

“You come through such different challenges throughout the whole year, your goals are set – you meet one and then you set another one.

“My first one was just to play football again. I managed to do that. Then it was to play 20 games.

“Now it’s down to me to help keep us in the division and I will be doing everything I can.”

While Walsall are under pressure to win today, Edwards is adamant the players should embrace the challenge of playing in such an important game.

“It’s obviously a massive game but it’s exciting,” the midfielder continued.

“It’s got the possibility of going both ways but it’s one of them you have to look forward to.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere. There’s a big prize at the end if we get the right result and results go for us.

“It’s a game I’m really looking forward. It’s a massive opportunity for us to put on a massive performance and get a fantastic result.”

Walsall will have in excess of 1,600 fans at the game after selling out their allocation.

And Edwards is determined to give them the performance they deserve.

“For the fans to do that (sell-out) after the season we’ve had is fantastic,” he added.

“We really appreciate that and that will give us an extra lift going into the game.

“The boys have spoken about it this week and it’s already given us a lift knowing it’s sold out and they’re going to be there behind us, backing us.

“If we can put on a performance and get a victory that will hopefully do the job for us, then we can send them home happy.”

.