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.

Photo: Action Images

BwoodBlue added 13:33 - Aug 5 That's great Carlos, just great...
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Back_The_Boss added 13:37 - Aug 5 C'mon Carlos seeing as you can't drive perhaps you should be running to and from training!!
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HurleyBurley added 13:38 - Aug 5 Keep your nose clean Carlos. Rome wasn't built in a day. It's not over till the fat lady sings... Natural footballer; only speaks in clichés. Good lad.
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Essex_Tractor added 13:41 - Aug 5 "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" Just fills me with confidence that does!
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radiogaga added 13:45 - Aug 5 Oh, dear me 'Carless' Edwards.
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blueblood66 added 13:45 - Aug 5 oh dear, We need a proper right back.
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bogstandard added 13:50 - Aug 5 If you ain't fit Carlos ... you shouldnt be playing - END OF .....
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randomblue added 14:04 - Aug 5 Carlos Edwards just about fits the stereotype about footballers... does anything click in or process things before he speaks?!?! Last season (maybe season before) he thinks it's a good idea to tell everyone that he hasn't really been up for it and hasn't performed. This season - "you know what lads - I'm not fit but I'll try and be there fitness wise on Saturday"! Seriously Carlos - if you have these thoughts and want to keep the fans onside then don't come out and say them out loud! You give the moaners far too much to feed on! Don't get me wrong I appreciate the whole being injured bit but if you think you aren't fit enough etc. don't go around shouting about it! D'oh! With these kinds of comments from him it is starting to become apparant as to why he gets lifts to training! Use your loaf son!

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Nunn_the_Wiser added 14:04 - Aug 5 This talks so much sh1t its unreal.
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gloucester_tractor added 14:05 - Aug 5 i HOPE THE Bristol management dont read this , might decide to attack down the left
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mark1969 added 14:30 - Aug 5 This type of comment is pathetic , he is paid well to be a prof footballer and admits too not being fit ?, 2 weeks fine and an extra 2 hours a day training until he is , next week he will be too tired from overtraining !!! C,mon Carlos get a grip this is your job , if selected i expect you to run 50 yards and score a blinder tomorrow ,stop moaning and get on with it !!!

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tractorboybig added 14:45 - Aug 5 The only pre season game he missed was the only one we one!!!!! err stay away.
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Fartman added 14:55 - Aug 5 Calm down! He's fit enough - you'll see...
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norfolk_mighty_horse added 14:56 - Aug 5 What a chump - like most footballers he needs to engage the brain cell before talking. if you're not fit don't bother play and certainly don't play in a position that you absolutely disastrous at. best to get fit then get rid.
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robdaful added 15:11 - Aug 5 Thats for that news Edwards.
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itfc94 added 15:25 - Aug 5 tactician edwards..... target me, im unfit!
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legoman added 15:29 - Aug 5 Honesty pays eh?
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bluelady added 15:44 - Aug 5 You lot are like a bunch of vulchers should be ashamed, the guy is being honest and gets slatted, bristol may take note but trust me having been there sat he was stil one of the quickest on the pitch and gave the wolves wing all sorts of problems... Guys he is our player for goodness sake get behind him and stop wingeing like a bunch of old women!
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power19 added 16:47 - Aug 5 No offence Bluelady but unless your Mrs Edwards - I for one think the points made are perfectly fair. Not the most inspiring and sensible thing that Carlos could have said before he's even kicked a ball this season. This isnt the local under 16's side your talking about. These guys are well paid professionals and keeping fit is part of their job!
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Lennyboy added 17:22 - Aug 5 This could be reverse psychology. If as many of you thing, Bristol looks at this and thinks " Ah Ha, we'll attack down the right"; Carloss may be feeding them a little red herring. Bluelady is right, he's our player so get behind him. COYB.
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Lennyboy added 17:23 - Aug 5 Sorry..meant THINK and the Left
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norfolk_mighty_horse added 18:35 - Aug 5 is it me or does he just look like Shaggy?? a stock response of 'It wasnt me' for everytime the get past him! lol
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Blue_Square added 19:35 - Aug 5 Sounds like a cheap shot at PJ to me- the reference to since the manager's been here... Personally I think this guy's been Sh&t for us since Ke*ne paid decent money for a player who's never lived up to things (like most of his rubbish). These comments would see him dropped if I were in charge - poor timing, and a bad tactical lapse on his part. Hopefully he'll be replaced asap as he's not up to the job at right back anyway... Rubbish.

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jas0999 added 21:29 - Aug 5 sacking the fitness coach could be a mistake PJ!!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 22:17 - Aug 5 Before anyone gets carried away with the idea that Careless Edwards is a strategist who excels in the art of reverse psychology and is a modern day Sun Tzu I have to suggest that he is more likely to think that tactics are those little minty sweets you get in a small plastic box. Let your feet do the talking Carlos!
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