Wolves and Wales midfielder Dave Edwards has paid tribute to his former national manager Gary Speed, who was found dead in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Edwards described Speed as one of his "heroes" and spoke of his admiration for the 42-year-old even from a young age.

"He was one of my heroes as a player," Edwards told the official Wolves website.

"Growing up from the early 90s onwards he was a midfielder who I used to love watching because I wanted to be like him in the way he played, making attacking runs into the penalty area.

"I aspired to do the same, and I was so pleased when I got the chance to work with him when he became Wales manager."

The Wolves man has been mourning the death of the former Leeds, Newcastle and Everton midfielder with Welsh teammates at Molineux, Sam Vokes and Wayne Hennessey.

"I've spoken to Vokesey and Wayne and we've all been struggling to get our heads around it all," the 25-year-old added.

Sports Mole has compiled a gallery of images detailing Speed's career that dates back to his first Premier League days at Leeds United.