23 December 2003
By David Lovett
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| Denis Smith |
 I know absolutely nothing whatsoever about Carlos Edwards going anywhere, let alone to Wigan.
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WREXHAM are NOT poised to sell Carlos
Edwards to Wigan with their former striker Neil Roberts returning as part of a
so-called deal.
Widespread speculation linking both players in a double deal were today
strenuously dismissed by manager Denis Smith.
He said: “It’s news to me. I know absolutely nothing whatsoever about Carlos Edwards going anywhere, let alone to Wigan. And, as regards to Neil Roberts coming back here, that is also pie-in-the-sky as far as I am concerned. There is no substance in either story as far as I know. I can say no more because I know no more.”
Edwards is Wrexham’s biggest saleable asset and the Trinidadian international is in the kind of form that is attracting interest from other clubs. Smith confirmed that saying: “Of course, there are clubs looking at him - but they may be looking at other players, too. I get a list every week of scouts who come to our home and away games. I haven’t, by the way, seen Wigan’s name on that list all season so you draw from that what you will.
“But,
yes, Carlos is a player who has the ability to go on from here, but I’m sure I
would know if a club was considering a financial move for him. That has not come
to pass and, as far as I know, is no nearer to happening.”
Speculation linking Edwards with a move to Wigan has come about since Latics’ manager, Paul Jewell, sold striker Geoff Horsfield for £1 million to West Bromwich Albion. But Smith countered: “So what? Horsfield’s a striker. Edwards is a right wing-back. Where’s the connection?”
Edwards, however, is ambitious. He wants to play at a higher level and gave up an army career in the Caribbean to bank everything on playing professional football. Wrexham signed him and centre-back Dennis Lawrence from Defence Force, the army-based side in Trinidad. They also signed striker Hector Sam, another Trinidadian international, from the island.
All three would be happy to stay at Wrexham and help them get promotion to the first division. Edwards perhaps more than any of them has the ability and grace to go higher and if a big cash offer came in for him Wrexham would have to consider it.
Smith said: “Every player has his price but it’s nonsense to talk about Carlos going here, there and everywhere when there’s nothing in it. All that does is upset the player and I want to keep everyone here focused on what we’ve got to do over Christmas.”
