After an indifferent start to the season, Preston have strung together an impressive run of results that has seen the Lilywhites climb to ninth in the table. Tomorrow, Craig Brown's men travel south to take on Reading knowing that a win could lift the Lancashire club into the top six. Rob Edwards has been the first choice left back at Deepdale ever since he joined the club on a free transfer back 1999, but more recently a switch in formation to 3-5-2 has seen the 30-year-old relegated to the substitutes' bench. Givemefootball's Mark Shail spoke to the Welsh international about his hopes of a recall to the first team.
Q:HOW DISAPPOINTED ARE YOU TO FIND YOURSELF OUT OF THE SIDE AT THE MOMENT?
A:It is frustrating, but I'll just continue to keep my head down, train hard and hope to win my place back in the side. Having been a regular in the first team for so long it is difficult but we have got a very strong squad here at Preston and no player is guaranteed a place in the starting line-up.
Q:WAS THE SWITCH TO 3-5-2 ONE OF THE REASONS WHY YOU FOUND YOURSELF ON THE SIDELINES?
A:Yes, I'm more of an orthodox left back whereas when you play with a 3-5-2 formation there is much more of an emphasis on the two wing backs getting forward. Craig Brown has been playing Eddie Lewis in the left wing-back position which is understandable because he more of an attack minded player than me. But I have always been confident in my own ability and hopefully I'll get my chance.
Q:WHAT DO YOU PUT PRESTON'S RECENT UP-TURN IN FORM DOWN TO?
A:We had a tough start to the season and lost to teams like Sunderland and West Ham, but we weren't playing badly and we were always felt that the results would come if we continued to play well. We've really tightened things up at the back and stopped leaking silly goals and that has been the platform for our improved form.
Q:WHICH PLAYERS HAVE BEEN CATCHING THE EYE FOR PRESTON THIS SEASON?
A:Marlon Broomes is a defender who has been outstanding so far, and his pace and reading of the game has been very impressive. In midfield, Paul McKenna is a player who doesn't get as much credit as he deserves because he is one of our most consistent performers week in week out. Up front, Ricardo Fuller is always going to frighten the life out of defenders. After missing most of last season with a knee injury he is not quite back to his best but he is not far away.
Q:CAN PRESTON PUSH FOR A PLAY-OFF PLACE?
A:One of our strengths is that we have got a very strong squad with at least 22 players pushing for a place in the side. Other than West Ham and West Brom, who have got Premiership quality in their squads, there isn't a lot to chose between a host of other teams and we would like to think that we could push for a top six finish.
Q:ARE YOU EXPECTING A TOUGH GAME AGAINST READING?
A:They are a very good side and in Nicky Forster and Shaun Goater they have two players who can put the ball in the net. The fact that Steve Coppell has gone there will have given the players a lift, but we will go there confident that if we play to our potential, and form, there is no reason why we can't get a result.
Q:HOW LONG DO YOU WANT TO CARRY ON PLAYING?
A:I'm 31 in January, but I'd like to think that I could continue playing until I was 35. I've been fortunate during my career because I've never had any serious injuries and I feel as fit now as I ever have. I just need another chance to prove it.
