AN OPEN INVITATION

EDWARDS GRATEFUL FOR CHANCE TO LEARN NEW SKILLS

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

JOE Edwards will get a behind-thescenes look at how Wayne Rooney and his backroom staff prepare for Plymouth Argyle games while he is out injured.

The 34-year-old Pilgrims' captain is currently taking his UEFA A Licence course with a view to coaching and management when his playing career comes to a end. He plans to use his time while out of action to learn as much as he can so he can stand himself in good stead for the future.

Edwards has been ruled out 'until sometime in the new year' after an operation to have the hamstring tendon in his right leg reattached to the bone. Instead, he will have an opportunity to see how Rooney, his assistant Pete Shuttleworth and first team coach Kevin Nancekivell plan for Championship fixtures and what it is like for them on matchdays.

"The gaffer, Pete and Nance have been great with me already," Edwards told Herald Sport. "They have said 'If you want to be with us, you want to be in our meetings, if you want to look the other side of it while you can't play at the minute you are more than welcome to.