David Edwards not rushing Wolves return as he eyes Euro place

The 30-year-old is sweating on his place in Chris Coleman's squad as Wales embark on their first tournament campaign since the 1958 World Cup.

Edwards has been sidelined since breaking a metatarsal in January – but says he's well ahead of schedule, with a return likely to be some time next month.

For the moment, though, Edwards is putting thoughts of the Euros to one side and concentrating on returning to Wolves action.

"I tell myself that there is nothing I can do at the moment that will influence my selection so it's about trying to get fit first," Edwards said.

"I want to get fit as soon as possible so I can play some games for Wolves before the end of the season. That's important for me, for Wolves and for the Welsh selection – if I can be back playing.

"But at the same time if it's not right for whatever reason – touch wood it feels great at the moment – then I'm not going to rush it for the sake of fitting in one more game.

"Because if I have a breakdown I'll never forgive myself.

"But at the moment everything's well ahead of schedule so I have a bit of time on my side."

Wales boss Coleman has been in touch with Edwards to check on his progression, and the midfielder plans to meet up with the squad for their friendly against fellow qualifiers Northern Ireland later this month.

Edwards said Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett had also bee supportive in his recovery.

"He's very meticulous and he'll know exactly, by speaking to the physios every single morning, where the players are and what they're doing at what point," he added.

"He knows everything that is happening in the football club, he leaves no stone unturned."

Edwards watched Sunday's derby with Blues from a different vantage point, as he undertook a commentary stint in the Billy Wright stand – the first time he's watched a game from there since just before his Wolves debut.

"I don't like going really when I'm injured because I get really frustrated but it was nice," he said.

"It was probably my sort of game really.

"It was a real battle and those are the games that suit me personally. There was a right ding-dong in the midfield.

"Being able to score in the reverse fixture was great for me and it would've been nice to have done the double but hopefully I'll only miss a few more games and then I should be back in contention."

Edwards has endured plenty of bad injury luck during his eight-year Molineux stay.

He freely admits he struggled to mentally cope with injuries in the past - but is better experienced to be able to deal with them now.

"I definitely think that I've suffered more in the middle part of my career here," he said.

"I was going through injuries and mentally I couldn't cope with it.

"I really struggled but I'm in a lot better place now. I can recognise that there's nothing that I can do away from the pitch that will get me back that much sooner.

"I shouldn't worry too much about how the team's doing and how their performing because I know I can't rush it. I've got to be right and there's nothing I can affect.

"I think it's maturity. My family has helped me, having the kids does take you away from football.

"I was speaking with Jordan (Graham( last week and he's just so in love with football, which I was at his age. It's refreshing to see his love for the game, he wants to watch every single game on TV, and know everything going on.

"It's a great asset to have but as you're growing older you kind of need to get away from it and that's definitely happened to me over the last couple of years."

The 31-times-capped Welshman is part of a busy treatment room at Compton Park at the moment.

And he said it was important for the likes of him, Graham and Nouha Dicko to motivate each other.

"I still see them every day and I'm still in every day," he added. "You get to speak to them, you don't get forgotten about a little bit when you're injured and unfortunately there's a few lads in the treatment room at the minute so we can keep each other motivated.

"I think that's important. I've got a medium-term injury, but Nouha's at the end of a long-term injury, Jordan's at the start of his long-term injury and Ethan has come in with the same injury as me.

"So hopefully I'll be able to help the likes of Ethan in his progression with stuff that I've done or that he should be."