LIAM Edwards began a physio degree in the midst of his injury nightmare at Wanderers to ensure he had a career if his comeback did not pay off.

The defender spent 23 months on the side-lines after fracturing his kneecap and undergoing several surgeries but made his return to competitive football as a late substitute at Rochdale in the Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday night.

Ian Evatt has revealed that the 25-year-old began a university course in in chartered physiology in his spare time, as some predicted that he would never play professionally again.

And the Bolton boss believes Edwards should be an inspiration to any young player to plan for life after the game.

“I think Liam has had so many ups and downs he has tried to rehab, he has been so close on a number of occasions that he’d get pain in the knee, or somewhere else, the load on his body it just breaks down,” the manager said.

“He decided to do the degree because it doesn’t detract from his football and he studies when he is at home. It is credit to his character.

“For me, every footballer should look at a secondary occupation because you are not in it very long, it flies by. I was a footballer myself for 20-odd years and it comes and goes before you know it and you are left with pretty much nothing.

“The stats on bankruptcy and divorce are scary. The sooner we can encourage players to take on a secondary occupation and get education for life after football the better.”

Edwards played for only a couple of minutes at Rochdale and has continued to train without issues over the last few days.

The centre-back has missed almost two full seasons and is likely to step up his match fitness in the Central League for the time being.

Evatt says he has no plans to loan Edwards out in the short-term – and is happy to see him get back into the routine of training each day at Lostock.

“He is extremely grateful for where he is right now and to be available for selection, to be training every day with no problems – no pain. It is fantastic for him because there have been occasions where we did not think that would be possible,” he said.

“Credit to his mindset. I genuinely mean the best thing that happened on Tuesday was him stepping on to the pitch.”