PAUL EDWARDS is looking to achieve the next step in his professional 'dream' by adding a few goals to his repertoire.

The 21-year-old made his first team return at Wigan on Saturday after being sidelined by a knee injury for the last month.

Although the pacy winger could not prevent Town crashing to defeat, he was delighted to get a quarter of an hour and remind fans that he is still very much part of Roy Evans' plans.

The former Manchester United youngster knows the run-up to Christmas is very important for Town, with both a cup run and crucial league points on offer.

He also believes the next few weeks will determine which end of the league table players and supporters will be focusing on in the New Year.

He said: "I was so glad to get back in the picture against Wigan because I'm not the best in terms of patience when I'm injured. To tell you the truth, it's been doing my head in.

"When you have an injury like bone bruising, there's not too much you can do in terms of specific treatment.

"I've been doing a lot of swimming and gradually adding in some running before getting back to normal training."

Edwards' knee injury could not have come at a worse time. He was starting to feel settled in the first team and his selection coincided with a decent run of league form.

He said: "It's frustrating, but you have to work hard to get yourself back. It's no good sulking. Hopefully, I'll get stronger, and although it's great getting crosses in for the lads, it'd be nice to get a goal or two."

Edwards recognises that a happy Christmas is very important for the club. He said: "It's seen as a 'make or break' period and we want to make sure we go into the New Year with some good results behind us.

"We've had quite a bad run of injuries, but Christmas should hopefully coincide with those lads getting back to fitness.

"I think if we can string some wins together, particularly with all the home matches coming up, then we should be in for a decent second half of the season.

"From what I've seen, I certainly think we're heading in the right direction."

Edwards may well get a chance to build up his match sharpness, along with other recovering players like Sol Davis, when the reserves entertain Barnet at the County Ground tomorrow afternoon (2pm).

Razor Ruddock's second string could certainly do with the points as the reserves have gone seven games without a victory in the Avon Insurance Combination.

Town's youth team go into the hat for the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup on Thursday. Viv Busby's side have already disposed of Southend Manor, Grantham Town and Yeovil Town.