Midfielder-turned-right-back Carlos Edwards has admitted he is still some way off full fitness despite the new season getting under way at Bristol City tomorrow. The Trinidad and Tobago international missed the early stages of pre-season training due to a hip injury, although he was fit enough to play in all but one of the Blues’ preparation matches, the 2-0 win at FC Eindhoven.
Edwards said: "I won't sit here and say to you that I looked my best in training, I'm miles off. I just hope come Saturday I can be up to par. I'll put all negative thoughts behind me and do what I've been doing since the manager took over."
"I'm going to put my head down, work as hard as possible, the manager and players know what I'm capable of."
The 32-year-old has reverted back to the full-back role he occupied early in his career, and says he has been working on the defensive side of the position: "I am an attack-minded player, but recognise that I’m a right-back now and I have to keep it in my head that not every time I have to go bombing forward.
"Chris Hutchings and the gaffer have been teaching me a few pointers. I have listened to everything they have got to say because I know they aren’t telling me things for the sake of it.
"Rather than letting it go in one ear and out the other I have taken everything on board because I want to keep improving as a player.”
Despite his fitness concerns, Edwards seems certain to start at right-back when the Blues take on the Robins at Ashton Gate tomorrow.