The 28-year-old, who recently agreed terms on an extended deal at Banks's Stadium, has been out of action since injuring his anterior cruciate knee ligament against Blackburn Rovers in February, but is edging ever-closer to a return to action, even taking part in the warm-up before the Saddlers took on Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
Edwards, who has made eighty-two club appearances since joining from Colchester United in the summer of 2016, often accompanies the Saddlers squad on away trips in a bid to support his team mates, and Keates has been impressed by the way he has made an impact despite being out with a long-term injury.
Dean, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "From the day I got the job, I can’t speak highly enough of him. He is a proper pro, he is a good player to have around that is why he has travelled with us, he has an input. Joe is old-school. Football is changing now with how players are.
"But Joe is very much a throw-back. He leads, both by the way he conducts himself around the place and with his voice. From day one he has had an input off the pitch by being around the team."
Keates then went on to confirm that he is hoping to last season's 'Player of the Season' back on the pitch in late December or early January, the gaffer added; "He is not far, he is ahead of schedule. We don’t want to rush him, there are games coming up over the next few weeks. He will be like a new signing for us in January. He will be a great addition around January time."