HAVING exchanged life in the army for a football career, Sunderland's Carlos Edwards is understandably relishing the prospect of mixing it with English football's best next season.

At the age of 28, the right-midfielder's dream of playing in this country's top tier has arrived later than he would have liked. But, considering he was in the Trinidad & Tobago forces in 2000, he is happy his chance will arrive next season.

He was more excited than most of the squad on Thursday when Sunderland were handed a fantastic home bow back in the big league against Tottenham on August 11.

Then, after trips to Birmingham and Wigan sandwich a Carling Cup fixture, Champions League finalists Liverpool will be the next to visit the Stadium of Light on August 25.

And Edwards, aware that Roy Keane's return to Manchester United is just seven days later, admits to being energized by the mouthwatering prospect of taking on some of the best players in the world.

"I've seen the fixtures and it's great, I'm really excited about it now," said Edwards. "Don't get me wrong I was excited about winning the Championship last season and I was looking forward to the new season in the Premier League, but it's only when you see the fixtures that you start to think about it.

"It's only then that you look at the big games and think, yeah, I want to play in those games."

It is not just dates with the Premiership's top four that has got Edwards thrilled, he is also looking forward to the opportunity to take on some of his international team-mates.

"Of course there are so many massive games, but they are all big for us next season," said Edwards. "From a personal point of view I look at the Fulham fixtures, they have one of my international team-mates, the goalkeeper Tony Warner, in their squad so it would be nice to play against him.

"I believe Portsmouth are also looking at some T&T boys, too. But the most important thing is that we get off to a good start. It's exciting to look at the fixtures but there's a lot of hard work to do when we return to training next month."

Edwards turned out to be one of Roy Keane's best purchases after moving from Luton Town for £1.5m in January, scoring five goals in Sunderland's climb from mid-table up to the pinnacle of the Championship.

Now, with 11 weeks until the start of the new campaign, Keane is looking to make similarly successful acquisitions during the close-season.

Greg Halford - known to possess the longest throw in the Premiership - has already made the move from Reading in a £3m deal and more will follow.

Chairman Niall Quinn revealed yesterday that talks are ongoing for a number of the manager's targets, with Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Preston striker David Nugent at the forefront of negotiations.

The Black Cats fear Portsmouth will make a late attempt to scupper a deal for Nugent, although the England Under-21 international is ready to move to Wearside as things stand.

A family fun event at the Stadium of Light from 5pm on Thursday, June 28 will kick off the launch of Sunderland's new white away kit.

Supporters can pre-order their shirts via safc.com or the club's mail order hotline 0845 671 1973.

To pre-order your new shirt, log on to safc.com, call the mail order hotline on 0845 671 1973 or call in to any official club store and pick up a pre-order leaflet.