Dave Edwards would be open to Shrewsbury Town extension

The midfielder, 35, says his body feels in a better place than it did in the winter, when he revealed he had all-but made his decision to retire this summer.

Edwards, from Pontesbury, realises that is a result of playing more of a bit-part role, which is one he is content with in trying to help the side late on in games.

But with big change set for this summer, boyhood Town fan Edwards knows his future is in Cotterill’s hands. He also admits he would prefer his final games for his hometown club to be in front of supporters, who will not return until next season, but knows there is no room for sentiment.

“Last time I spoke to you I was saying I was 80 or 90 per cent sure I’d retire, I was really struggling with my body,” said Edwards, who has started just four league games this season for Shrewsbury and none since December 22, where he was substituted at half-time.

“Since then a lot has changed, I’ve not been playing as regularly and my body feels good again. I’ve been trying to make as good an impact as I can off the bench.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the summer, I’m not going to rule anything out. I don’t think anyone’s had conversations with the manager yet about next season. I think it’s up to us to prove what we can do before then.

“When your body is feeling good it makes it harder to end, everyone I speak to says ‘don’t retire, it’s such a short career’. My mindset is I’m not ruling anything out.

“I’d love to stay here but it can’t be for sentiment, I want to affect the team and, if the manager thinks I offer value to the dressing room and more importantly on a Saturday, then great. But if it’s not here then I don’t know if anything else will tempt me to carry on playing, but we’ll see.

“When your body feels good it almost feels criminal to knock it on the head.”

Edwards has enjoyed several influential cameos from the bench for Town in recent months, with 23 substitute league outings in total this term.

But he is behind Ollie Norburn, Josh Vela, David Davis in the pecking order, with Sean Goss and Brad Walker also starting league games of late.

“I know if the manager wanted me to play every game I’d start to feel it again, but it’s whether my experience and being able to influence games is enough to warrant extending my stay here,” Edwards added. “This is the only club I want to be at, but it’s important it’s for the right reasons. I’m fully comfortable with retiring.”

Former Wales and Wolves star Edwards admitted playing in front of a full Montgomery Waters Meadow again was a contributing factor.

He said: “I think that’s a massive factor as well, if I’d have had an end to the season where I could say my goodbyes then I’d be a lot happier with walking away. But it’s just been such a rubbish season for everyone, hasn’t it? It’s good we’ve come to the end of it and I think everyone’s looking forward to the end. I think I’m the only one who isn’t!

“I want to continue showing what I can do, it’d be lovely to play in front of fans again, but if not I’ll be here watching as a fan.”

Edwards has starting to build a media career aside from his playing commitments. The Town academy graduate is involved with Sky Sports’ Wales national team coverage.