Norwich are tracking Edwards

Shrewsbury manager Gary Peters today insisted he was confident of holding on to Dave Edwards throughout the January transfer window - despite Norwich revealing they are keeping tabs on the highly-rated midfielder.A host of Coca-Cola Championship clubs have been linked with a move for Edwards - who has been in fine form following his early-season switch to central midfield - since the transfer market reopened for business this week.

Rumours of interest from Norwich have surfaced - and went someway to being firmed up yesterday by Canaries manager Peter Grant.

"He (Edwards) is somebody we have looked at," said Grant. "He is a good young boy, he scores goals.

"We have seen him play, he has done very well and we have the Welsh connection here, with Dave Williams (Norwich academy director who is also associated with Wales under 21s) who knows he is a good player as well.

"We do our homework to try and find good players, and young players, and he is one of the names that has come up.

"There is no doubt he is a good player. We have watched him, but that's as much as we have done."

Peters remains confident that - barring an irresistible offer - Edwards, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will remain at Gay Meadow.

"If a club is going to buy someone in January they make contact with a club a long time before then - and I've not had any contact," said the Town chief.

"There is a big difference between looking at a player and putting an offer in.

"I'm out every night looking at players, but I probably watch 20 players before I decide who I'm going to bring in. It's not going to happen."

Turning the focus on tomorrow's intriguing visit of Hartlepool, Peters has three injury worries.

Kelvin Langmead and Derek Asamoah both returned to training yesterday at Sundorne but Neil Ashton remained sidelined with a knee niggle.

Peters, however, rates all three as "possibles" to be fit for a game the Town boss can't wait to start.

"Everyone knows the quality of the Hartlepool team just by their recent results and the fact they have won nine on the trot," he added.

"But somebody is going to beat them some time so why not us?

"I remember being at Reading and winning 13 on the bounce one season.

"It becomes a burden and it almost reaches the point when you're waiting for it to end just as much as everyone."

By James Garrison