David Edwards faces a month out
Wolves midfielder David Edwards' injury nightmare has continued as he faces a month out with a back injury.
Wolves midfielder David Edwards' injury nightmare has continued as he faces a month out with a back injury.
The Wales international has suffered a stress reaction in his lumbar spine and is to rest for a month before his back is re-scanned, after the injury ruled him out of Sunday's 3-3 draw with Tottenham.
Edwards' latest blow comes with David Jones out with a knee injury sustained in training six days ago but, at least, loan midfielder Jamie O'Hara is available again after being ineligible against parent club Tottenham at the weekend, while Adlene Guedioua should be fit by the end of the month.
Wolves' head of medical department Steve Kemp said: "Dave complained of lower back stiffness after the Blackpool game and, as a result, was scanned which showed up the stress reaction in his lumbar spine.
"With these findings it's not worth risking him carrying on playing with the injury as it could develop into something more serious.
"It's actually fortunate we found the problem quite early, and we now intend to manage the injury by treating Dave over the next month after which we will re-assess."
Edwards only returned to the starting line-up for the Blackpool game, impressing in the 4-0 victory.
The 25-year-old has been restricted to 15 Premier League appearances this season after thigh, hamstring and now back problems.
Several players do 'pre-hab' to help prevent injuries and manager Mick McCarthy, who had been hoping Edwards was available for Sunday's 3-3 draw against Blackpool, again re-iterated the need for Edwards to protect himself more in between games.
The Wolves boss said: "The way he plays the game, he's full of energy and action and then he comes back and plays at full tilt and he just picks these things up. It's been difficult for him.
"We look at him how he looks after himself in between games all the time, although I'm hoping he's still going to be alright."
Another Wolves midfielder, David Davis, has had his loan extended at Edwards' former club Shrewsbury until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old has made seven appearances for the League Two promotion-chasers, scoring his first league goal in Saturday's 3-2 win at Northampton.
Shrewsbury's former Wolves boss Graham Turner said: "David wants to stay here, I've spoken to Mick McCarthy at Wolves and he's willing to let him stay."