Wolves boss defends selection decision over teenage star

That has led to some criticism over Edwards' decision to keep starting Mane, who will make his 14th consecutive Premier League start if he is selected for Monday night's trip to Brentford.

But the head coach believes Mane is still offering plenty on the pitch and is growing as games progress, in a defence of his decision to stick by the teenager.

"If he's not scored or done something outrageous, people might think he's tired," Edwards said.

"But also they're not looking at the games necessarily like we are and I think that's important. 

"If I didn't think it was safe to do it or I didn't think it was the right thing, then he wouldn't play. 

"There's not really been a point in the game where I thought 'we've got to get him off, he's struggling' - it hasn't been the case.

"If he didn't play and then we had a c**p game, then it'd be like, 'why didn't you play Mane?' So, you can't win in that situation."

Mane's first start came at Anfield in late December and he has been a mainstay in the team ever since, playing his part in Wolves' improved form.

Despite not adding any more goals, Edwards says the positives of playing Mane are evident and that he has no concerns over his energy.

"He's had a great impact and a great start to his young career," Edwards added.

"We obviously think a lot of him, but he's got a long way to go as well and he knows that and he recognises that. 

"But he's given everything, he's working incredibly hard.

"Fairly early on he had a big impact for us, with a couple of goals, but he's still been affecting games really well without scoring. 

"He's still involved in the goals against Arsenal. he still does things in games that maybe a lot of people won't actually see that make him really important to the team.

"He's top of our running in every game and most days in training, so I don't think we've got to worry about his energy too much."