David Edwards' Wolves injury torture revealed

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today revealed the extent of Dave Edwards' mental torture during his six months out of football.

Former Shrewsbury Town player Edwards who made his Wolves comeback in the Carling Cup defeat against

Manchester City on October 26 has played four games before today's trip to Chelsea, scoring in the 3-1 win against Wigan.

But he believes his career was hanging in the balance after being ruled out from February to August with a part defect of his back and a slight stress fracture that is heriditary.

"As ever, the treatment was conservative," said McCarthy.

"When you've got a problem the physios can't deal with you see a specialist and he says you've got to rest and do pre-hab and strengthen your core, or your leg muscles or whatever, the mechanics of that are quite difficult.

"Players are always looking for a solution, and what you want him to tell you is 'if I can just nick that and take that out, you'll be back up and fine'.

"But sometimes it ends up being a long-term solution."

McCarthy said the frustration affected the Wales international mentally.

"He's a smashing lad but ask all the lads who have had long-term injuries such as Michael Kightly, it really gets to your head," said the boss.

"You're sat in there and although you're working most of the time, but you're sat with ice on your knee for 20 minutes or you're sat with a machine on your leg and your back, you're wondering when are you going to play next?"

McCarthy said he was never aware that Edwards considered calling it a day.

"It's a hereditary problem but I never heard any suggestion of calling it a day, never, ever, ever," he said.

Meanwhile, McCarthy has praised Stephen Ward as the best player he's worked with.

Left back Ward has been arguably Wolves' most consistent player this season and has won over the fans.

"I've had loads like him of that ilk that have come from lower levels and made themselves better players, but he's as good as anyone I've worked with of that kind of player because of his ability, his attitude and the way he's gone about it," he said.