Rob Edwards makes Wolves squad admission ahead of crucial player talks

Rob Edwards says he is already clear which players he wants to stay at Wolves for next season with the club’s recruitment plan stepping up in the coming weeks.

The head coach plans to sit down individually with players to discuss the future, with tentative talks having already taken place.

Edwards insists his squad are still “giving everything” despite Wolves’ relegation having already been confirmed last month.

But he is also eager to crack on with planning for next term in the Championship and claims there is already clarity, in his mind, about which players should stay and go.

Asked if his mind was “crystallised” in terms of which members of the squad he wanted to keep, Edwards replied: “Yeah. It has (crystallised).

“What is left for the players is their individual pride and opportunities, whether they are going to be here or elsewhere.

“We still want to finish as well as possible. There is always something to play for.”

He continued: “You want to have serious conversations but there are still games to go. There have been tentative talks with one or two and I think it is important to do that. I think over the next few weeks we can get into those conversations.

“It is getting the balance right. There is a focus on this but obviously we are starting to plan for what is next.”

Midfielder Tommy Doyle, who has spent the season at Blues, is among the loanees who will return to finish the campaign training at Wolves from next week.

Edwards also plans to speak with the club’s goalkeepers to establish their plans for the future.

Third-choice Dan Bentley is due to start Saturday’s match against Sunderland, with Jose Sa expected to miss between one to two weeks with an ankle injury.

Sam Johnstone has already been ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a shoulder issue.

“Sam will get fit over the next few weeks. We will assess his situation,” said Edwards. “I will have a good sit down with him and see where his head is at.

“It will be the same with Sa. I think he has done great since he has come into the team. I need to sit down with both of them and see where they see things.

“I also need to put my point across as well and where we see things.

“It’s an opportunity for Bents as well now to play. There is a bit to have a look at and decisions to be made in that department during the summer.”

Edwards knows there are certain players who will inevitably depart. Midfielder Joao Gomes is a target for Atletico Madrid but the boss says the primary focus should be on the players coming in, rather than those heading out.

“Someone like Joao is a really talented player. We will see what happens with him as an individual,” said Edwards.

“What is important this time is making sure we are really good in the market, so that when we do lose talented players we are bringing them in as well.

“Recruitment is everything. We have spoken about it a lot.

“Everyone wants to snap their fingers and get it done but it is going to take a little bit of time.”