Edmundson relishes the pressure at Athletic

Athletic centre-back George Edmundson is fired up and ready to step up to the plate against tonight against Walsall.

The 20-year-old academy product looks set to play another key role tonight – alongside fellow youngster Tom Hamer – for the home clash against the Saddlers.

A win for Richie Wellens side would lift them a healthy FIVE points clear of the Sky Bet League One drop zone.

Looking back first at the gritty goalless draw secured at Oxford on Saturday, when the Timperley-born defender produced a mature performance alongside Hamer after Kean Bryan limped off early on, Edmundson said: “When Kean went off I felt like I needed to step up and help Tom, and I think I did that.

“It was tough, and that added pressure to help Tom was there, but I felt it improved my game.

“The manager was buzzing after the game.

“It would have been nice to get the three points, but I think he was just happy to come away with a clean sheet.

“I feel fantastic at the moment, so now it’s about continuing that, keeping performing, and then I’ll keep my place.

“I play every game as though it’s my last, and hopefully I’ll help the club away of the relegation zone.

“Walsall will be tough as they’re down there with us too now, but we’re all up for it.

“To be honest I’ve not even thought about Gillingham here on Saturday.

“Let’s just get tonight out of the way, get a win, and then we can think about Gillingham.”

Club skipper and fellow centre-back Anthony Gerrard is also out tonight having missed the past few matches with a calf strain, but the popular Scouser remains a huge impact around the camp.

Edmundson added: “The pressure is on with Gez not being there, but he is always around the training ground, encouraging me to do this, telling me not to do that.

“I’m always learning off him.

“He might not be playing, but he’s still there helping and that’s great for me.”

This season has been a breakthrough campaign for Edmundson, who has made 10 appearances for Athletic and 12 while on loan at AFC Fylde between late October and New Year’s Day, 2018.