Dave Edwards considered alternative careers amidst fears over his Wolves future

Oct 9 2011 by Mathew Kendrick, Sunday Mercury

WOLVES star Dave Edwards has revealed how his injury hell left him in such a “dark place” that he even considered alternative careers in case he was forced to quit football.

Edwards was in so much pain with his nightmare back problem that he feared he might have to hang up his boots prematurely at the age of 25 and walk away from the game he loves.

But the Welsh international’s young son Jack was a wonderful distraction to put his injury woes in perspective as he has battled to return to action for club and country.

“I had a part defect of my back and a slight stress fracture,” said Edwards, who is hoping to be involved in Wales’ Euro 2012 qualifier in Bulgaria on Tuesday.

“There was dis-generation on one side which is uncomfortable. It’s not something you can operate on so it was a case of giving it time to heal.

“I had to make sure I did a lot of work in the gym to make me stronger in that area. It was right at the bottom of my back.

“It’s a hereditary thing. My brother also has a dis-generation of the back so it’s in the family history. With the amount of sport I have played since I was young so it’s obviously taken its toll.

“The doctors say I’ve had this for the last five to eight years and it was just a case of waiting for something to happen.

“It happened in February so I’ve let it heal. I’ve done core work and am much stronger now.”

Edwards scored just three minutes into his long-awaited comeback for Wolves in last month’s 5-0 Carling Cup victory over Millwall to banish once and for all fears about his football future.

“Once I was injured, I had doubts over whether I would ever get back,” said Edwards, “When I first felt the pain I thought I’d be out for only a week and back playing.