November 26 2003

Crystal Palace

Welsh international Rob Edwards joined Palace on a month's loan from Aston Villa on Friday, and the 20-year-old is determined to use this spell to impress David O'Leary, by Joseph O'Shea.

Swapping a Premiership relegation battle with the Villains for one in Division, might not seem the most prudent move for a young talent, but the chance to link up with Stuart Gray his former coach at Villa Park, and Welsh team-mate Kit Symons convinced him to head for SE25.

The Telford-born defender has been with Villa since he was 11, rose through the youth ranks to play nine times for the Villa first team last season and make his senior international debut against Azerbaijan in Cardiff in March.

A five month lay-off after dislocating his ankle against Everton in April, has hindered his meteoric rise, but helped Symons secure his talents, at least until Darren Powell returns from a thigh injury.

Edwards made his debut on Saturday when he replaced Symons with 15 minutes to go.

Symons said: "Rob’s is a great acquisition for us. He’s an excellent player, who has got Premiership and international experience.

"We were very lucky to get him the day before the game and I had no qualms bringing him on.

"He is someone who was targeted by Sparky (Hughes). He bypassed the Under 21s and went straight into the full squad because they think so highly of him."

Edwards will not be allowed to play against Villa in the league cup tie at Villa Park on December 3, but is determined to impress boss David O’Leary over the next month.

Edwards said: "It happened quickly but I’m very pleased. It’s great to hopefully get first team football of a very good standard.

"The manager (O'Leary) said to enjoy it and come back stronger and then he said hopefully I can get back in there. The idea is that I play games come back stronger and force my way back in at Villa.

"Both clubs are down at the bottom end at the moment, but I want to play my part and help Palace win some games."

Kit Symons added: "Stuart knew him very well at Villa, and I did myself from the Welsh set up, so he was someone we were actively trying to go for.

"As it is now I think Mark Delaney got injured at the weekend, so if we had gone in for him today, the answer would have been no."