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Edwards ended the season as Rovers' second leading scorer with thirteen goals scoring seven in as many games following Aaron O'Connor's departure to Conference side Grays Athletic in early January. However, he then failed to find the target in the final two-and-a-half months of the season.

Norton said: "He failed to find the net as much as he would have liked last season and he wants to have a really good season this time.

"He has seen Aaron progress and has seen Luke Varney, who was a big pal of his during his time at Crewe, secure a big move to Charlton and he wants to really show people what he can do.

"That is really positive for me. We still have to agree terms, but I am looking forward to him being around with a bit of fire in his belly."

Defender Gary White could make a surprise return Rovers return to pre-season training on Tuesday night.

The left-back's was beset by injury during last season and it looked as if his Moat Ground career was over.

White started 11 of the first 13 games, but then injury caused him to miss most of the remaining seven months of the campaign making only two further starts and two substitute appearances.

His last appearance was in the UniBond Challenge Cup second round game at Matlock Town on December 12th which was abandoned due to a floodlight failure. Unfortunately, he suffered another injury during that game that ruled him out for the rest of the season.

However, Rovers boss Gary Norton says the 24-year-old has told him that he wants to give it another go in pre-season.

Norton said: "I have spoken to Gary and he is very keen to come back. He had a lot of injuries and personal problems last year which virtually wrote off last season, but he wants to give it another go."

Norton also revealed he is in talks with former Stafford Rangers striker Patrick Bannister, who spent the final month of last season at the Moat Ground.

Said the Moat boss: "He is away for the early part of pre-season, but I was impressed with him when he joined us last season and he has indicated that he is keen to join us."
Chris Sleath, the brother of winger Danny, who had a spell at the club last season on loan from Mansfield Town, could also be given a trial.

One player not returning to the Moat Ground is central defender Matt Millns.

The 24-year-old centre-back - who joined Rovers from Eastwood Town in August, 2005 - has signed a one-year deal with Northern Counties East League Division One outfit Gedling Town.

The move comes as no surprise to Moat boss Gary Norton, who agreed to release him from his contract at the Moat Ground.

He said: "I knew Matt wasn't enjoying his football last season and he wasn't part of my plans for the new campaign.

"It is unfortunate because we ended up paying £3,500 for him following a tribunal, and we had hoped he would make a big impact.

"He did well in his first season when we got to the league play-off final, but his performances last season were very inconsistent and he didn't kick on as much as we had expected.

"With our financial situation and him not playing as many games, allowing him to leave seemed like a decent compromise."

Norton added: "I will give him a ring because he is a nice lad and I wouldn't mind keeping in touch with him. I still genuinely believe he can go on and play at a higher level."