LIAM Edwards is not quite ready for a playing return – but Ian Evatt is confident he can fight his way back at Wanderers.

The 23-year-old defender has been out since February after damaging his kneecap in a training ground collision and has not taken part in any of the club’s pre-season games.

Former Stoke City youth teamer Edwards showed promise last season after breaking into the team under Keith Hill and has seven senior appearances to his name.

Evatt is keen to keep his spirits up despite the lengthy lay-off.

“Liam got a very nasty injury and he’s not quite there yet in terms of playing,” he said.

“But the important thing for any player who is injured is that they feel part of the group and I made sure that he came with us to Loughborough and that he has travelled with the team on matchdays.

“There is time for him to recover properly and then we can move on from there.

“But I have been delighted to see that the lads are rallying round, making sure nobody feels isolated. It is turning in a tightly-knit group.”