Dave's joy at Premier prospect

Shropshire's latest Premiership export Dave Edwards has vowed to rise to the challenge of tackling the elite of world football next season.

Former Shrewsbury Town midfielder Edwards is celebrating promotion to what is widely regarded as the top league in the world with Wolves.

The 23-year-old – who was born in Shrewsbury, attended Pontesbury's Mary Webb School and still lives in the county town – joins close friend and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart in the Premiership after both graduated from Shrewsbury's youth system.

And, with one year still remaining on his contract at Molineux, Edwards is now desperate to stake his claim to play a big part in Mick McCarthy's plans next season.

"It's going to be a great challenge for me and everyone else at the club," he said.

"The gaffer will strengthen and that will mean it's going to be a big squad and hopefully there will be a good blend of youth and experience.

"It's a big step for everybody and it's going to be the same as when I stepped up to the Championship and I had to prove myself.

"It's going to be a big challenge but I'm confident in my ability."

Edwards admitted it was a big relief to finally seal promotion with Saturday's 1-0 victory over QPR. "A lot of people questioned us when we only won one in 12 earlier in the season but I think we have shown great character since," he added.

"We have won seven, lost one and drawn one of the last nine and that's championship form.

"To be a part of Saturday was fantastic for me and it was up there as the best day of my career alongside making my full debut for Wales.

"It wasn't until late on Sunday until it started sinking in."

Edwards revealed he had received messages of congratulations from Hart, former Town team-mate Ben Herd and Shrewsbury Head of Youth Nigel Vaughan.

And he is now hoping his former club can cap a promotion double.

"It would be fantastic if Shrewsbury could go up as well," added Edwards, who watched Town's 1-1 Prostar Stadium draw with Grimsby earlier this month.

"As soon as we came off the pitch on Saturday I was checking their score at Rotherham because I knew it was a massive game.

"Had they been beaten, it would have been a real struggle because other teams around them would have had the momentum.

"But it was a huge away win and hopefully now they can kick on and get promoted."

By JAMES GARRISON