Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards has urged the Black Cats hierarchy to do everything in their power to keep Roy Keane at the Stadium of Light.Keane masterminded the Wearsiders' Premier League survival last season and it came as no surprise to Edwards that his boss was linked with bigger jobs.

It was a frustrating season for Edwards after a hamstring tear and a broken leg limited him to 13 appearances, but he is in the Trinidad and Tobago squad to face England this weekend in Port of Spain.

He is determined to show Keane the form that persuaded the Irishman to buy him from Luton for £1.4million in the transfer window of the previous campaign.

"I love playing for him, he's going to pick his best team week-in week-out and I want to be there and part of his long-term plans," said Edwards.

"He's been a big influence on myself and the club. Sunderland is a big club and we want bigger and better things, Roy Keane has been there and done before in terms of winning a lot. Losing is not in his nature, and he's instilling it in the players.

"Hopefully next season we can get our heads down and do well."

Edwards now expects Keane's name to be linked with vacant posts elsewhere.

"He's a young, up-and-coming, inspiring manager which I think most clubs will want," he said. "Perhaps he is one of the last sorts of managers who will be around for a while.

"It's no surprise that he's been linked with other clubs and let's hope Sunderland can keep him for as long as possible."

Edwards wants to put his injury problems behind him and play a significant role in helping Sunderland have another successful season.

"It was great to stay up but for me personally the season was a bit of a rollercoaster," he added. "Injuries do happen in football and unfortunately for me I was unlucky at the start after there was big expectation on my head from Sunderland supporters.

"They were looking forward to me being one of the top players but that wasn't to be last season.

"I've put that season behind me and am looking forward to the start of next season.

"I want to help Sunderland do it again. We all know and the players who come in will know what the Premier League is about. "It's not going to be easy, we know that, but the first taste of the Premier League for players like myself was a great experience and hopefully we can do better next season."

Edwards met senior England players at a coaching clinic to help young players on the eve of the game, and he even joked with Rio Ferdinand about going easy on the hosts.

The friendly has been billed as "A Score To Settle" after England defeated the Soca Warriors at the last World Cup.

"For the public it is a score to settle but I'm just looking forward to the game," Edwards said.

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