Sunderland winger Carlos Edwards has declared himself fit for Saturday's derby clash with Newcastle.

The 29-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international played his first competitive football since August 15 in Tuesday night's 8-0 reserve team demolition of Wolviston as the Durham Challenge Cup provided a chance for him and striker Andy Cole to gain vital match fitness.

Both men came through an hour of the game - and scored against the Wearside League team - after recovering from hamstring and calf injuries respectively.

Manager Roy Keane now has to decide whether either are fit enough to be included in the senior squad for the Wear-Tyne derby with Edwards having been sidelined since tearing his hamstring at Birmingham and former Magpie Cole yet to play for the first team.

However, Edwards insists he is ready if required, and cannot wait to get back.

"It was great to get an hour's competitive football under my belt. It felt really good, like I had never been out," he said.

"I have had no reaction to the injury and hopefully that's the way it will be from now until the end of the season.

"Now I just cannot wait to get involved in the first team again.

"I don't know if the Newcastle game will be seen as coming too soon for me, but I'm up for selection as far as I'm concerned, and it is up to the manager whether or not he wants to include me in the squad.

"If I am selected, I feel I am capable of doing a job and I will go out there and give it 100% effort.

"There is no doubt that I do need two or three games before I'm fully match fit again but I do feel I could contribute this weekend if needed, and it is a game I would love to be involved in.

"If not, then I will just accept that decision and wait for the chance to be involved in the fixture second time around."

Edwards was one of the major factors in Sunderland's surge to the Coca-Cola Championship title after his £1.4million switch from Luton in January, and the absence of his pace and goal threat have been noticeable.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "I have missed my football - it seems like I've been out forever.

"You always want to play football, but injuries do happen and it was just sad that it happened to me so early in the season.

"I am just hoping I can get back in the team, stay injury-free and help the team kick-start our season a little."

The Black Cats have taken only two of the last 18 Barclays Premier League points on offer and desperately need a boost this weekend against their closest rivals.

Paul McShane returns after completing his three-match ban, although Greg Halford is still suspended.

But 36-year-old Cole's inclusion in the squad would set up the prospect of the former Manchester United star turning out against the club with which he launched himself as a top-class striker, scoring 68 goals in just 84 appearances before his £6million-plus switch to Old Trafford.