Winger Kyle Edwards says he’s feeling good having spent the summer recuperating from the quad injury which ended his 2021/22 season prematurely.

Edwards, 24, joined the Blues last August on a free transfer after leaving West Brom and made 14 starts and eight sub appearances, although only one game from the bench following Kieran McKenna’s appointment, before tearing his quad in training in February.

The Dudley-born wideman, who McKenna has said could also operate as a wing-back, returned to Playford Road along with the rest of his team-mates on Monday and says he is feeling the benefit of his work over the summer.

“It was good, it was short,” he told iFollow Ipswich when asked about his close season break.

“Obviously because of the injury I had to come in while everyone else was away, which wasn’t the best, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. We’re back now and I feel fitter, I feel good for it, it’s good to be back.

“It was tough because I was out for quite a while, it was a lot of hard work, a lot of gym, a lot of running but I’m back now and I feel a lot better for it.”

Edwards wasn’t the only player working on their fitness over the summer with Lee Evans having missed the end of the campaign with a knee problem, Kayden Jackson due to a hamstring injury and George Edmundson with an ankle issue.

He says having players like Evans around was a big help: “Definitely because when you’re running on your own it’s hard so to have Evo, he’s a strong runner, he was helping me along. He was running away from me a couple of times, but it’s good when you’ve got a partner, it helps get through it.”

Reflecting on the first couple of days’ training, he added: “They’ve been hard, they’ve been tough, but it’s pre-season so you’ve got to expect it. If we put the work in now obviously it’s going to help us throughout the season, so we’ve got to get through it.”

The Blues play their first pre-season friendly at Needham Market on Saturday before spending a week at Loughborough University.

Photo: ITFC

Edmundo added 11:43 - Jun 22 I think the glimpses we have seen suggest that, with the coaches we have now, Edwards could become a proper dangerman for us.
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BlueBlood90 added 11:52 - Jun 22 I think Edwards could feel like a new signing this summer. If we can get him fully fit and playing in his favoured position then McKenna has bags of potential there to work with and coach.
8

stiffy501 added 12:03 - Jun 22 Started last season looking like a player way above this league then just seemed to fade away and disappeared injured, hopefully if we can get him back to his original form he could be a match winner
7

ThaiBlue added 12:20 - Jun 22 Good player on his day but how many days will we get out of him.
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runningout added 12:24 - Jun 22 Slightly concerning he was out for a long time. A fleeting half decent game v Burton isn't much to go by. Hope he isn't a lightweight and has a brill time
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markchips added 12:53 - Jun 22 Hoping he can add to the left hand side, possibly a late substitute when legs are tiring ?
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Monkey_Blue added 13:30 - Jun 22 He needs to make sure he doesn't go the way of lots of other “talented” players. Great in flashes but no consistency. He looked exciting to begin with but when the hard months kicked in he went missing. I think rwb is an option because even if he's not tearing up the place he can still learn the benefits of contributing in the other half of the pitch. A good performance can have many faces

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Saxonblue74 added 13:33 - Jun 22 A real prospect in my opinion. Hopefully KmK can get the best out of him. Hope he gets his head down and makes the most of a big opportunity.
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Lukeybluey added 13:36 - Jun 22 Could he play in the no 10 role? I think he could
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DashluvsITFC added 14:11 - Jun 22 This feels like a new signing in a way. Am sure Mckenna will impress upon him to have a run at defences. Edwards will have a point to prove as well this season I feel. Be interesting to see how he and Chaplin work together as well. I'd still love to see Celina back though to really mix it up. COYBs 👍😊❤️
3

Marcus added 14:25 - Jun 22 A few years ago I tore my quads + hamstring (just while walking through the woodland around Dobbs between Martlesham and Kesgrave), took around 6 months before I felt confident using that leg. It isn't a quick recovery injury! Broke my walk at Black Tiles for a couple then my walk home (about 2 miles) was absolute torture. A day later has to call an ambulance the pain was so intense and was bed bound for almost a week.

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gosblue added 14:36 - Jun 22 I'd still plump for a left-sided no.10 with Edwards able to provide cover in a couple of positions until he proves his fitness. If another LB/LWB comes in and another 20 goal + striker then we will have the makings of a decent balanced squad with good backup. COYB
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blues1 added 15:30 - Jun 22 Monkeyblue. Most of what u say there is spot on. But the only way he'll be playing rwb is if burns is injured or at the world cup. Think he could play lwb mind you. Just needs to work on his final ball and he'll be a great asset.
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Fat_Boy_Tim added 16:39 - Jun 22 I'm pretty sure that when he was back from his initial injury KMac said he was working on RWB with him. He then got the other injury that kept him out till the end of the season. I think if it works out then we might see Burns get the odd rest during the season because he puts a lot in every time and was looking a bit jaded when the games came thick and fast.
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TimmyH added 17:03 - Jun 22 Just improve that final ball and decision making and will be an asset to our attacking department, hopefully McK has been working on him.
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Linkboy13 added 17:19 - Jun 22 Such a great guy would love to see him do well. As various people have mentioned needs to improve his final ball and the quality of his crosses which he tends to over hit.
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KMcBlue added 18:37 - Jun 23 Edwards can go for me
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