EXETER City defender Rob Edwards is one step away from earning his UEFA A Licence coaching badge.

The Grecians first team coach is spending this week in Scotland doing his final assessment.

Edwards joined up with the likes of Preston first team coach David Unsworth, Everton coach Alan Stubbs and Dunfermline boss Jim Mcintyre.

And he says the two-year course has enhanced his coaching credentials.

"This is the last part of the course now and, unless I want to become a manager and do my Pro Licence, this will be my last coaching qualification," said Edwards, who secured his UEFA B Licence badge in 2008.

"This is a good string to your bow. I have met up with a lot of ex-players on this course and you can pick up some good tips.

"The last time I was up here we had Alan Irvine (Sheffield Wednesday manager) and Billy Davies (Nottingham Forest manager) taking some training sessions. It is interesting to see how other managers do things.

"They are all interested in what we have done at Exeter. We have had some success in the last few years and they are all interested to know how Paul (Tisdale) does things.

"I try not to tell them too much — we don't want to give our secrets away.

"I am not sure whether I want to be a manager or stay as a coach. But I definitely want to stay in football.

"I have really enjoyed coaching during the last two years and hopefully I will be doing even more next season."

Edwards, 36, has vowed to carry on playing next season, but admits he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the 2010/11 campaign.

The former Blackpool defender started 17 games last season and featured as a substitute on four occasions.

And although he says he will not be first choice next season, he is determined to play a part.

"I really enjoyed playing last year — I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did," he said.

"I got myself as fit as I have been in the last year or so and hopefully I showed a few people that I can do a job at this level.

"I think next season will definitely be my last as a player. I am not putting myself up to be a regular starter and I think Paul will try and bring players in ahead of me, which is absolutely fine.

"I think Paul sees me doing a similar role to the one I carried out in the last game against Huddersfield where I played the last half an hour.

"I get a good indication of how I am feeling in training and I have stayed pretty much injury-free this season. I certainly think I have got another season in me."

Dietmar Hamann may not be  the only big name to arrive at  MK Dons this summer, according to new manager Karl Robinson.

The 35-year-old former Liverpool, Newcastle and  Manchester City midfielder has  a list of contacts Robinson is  keen to take advantage of.

 Robinson said: “I’m sure I’m  going to get a few phonecalls off  a few people saying ‘can I come  and play for Milton Keynes?’.

 “We’ll see what else we’ve got  up our sleeve that we can maybe  pull off.”

 Southend United have accepted an offer for defender Simon  Francis from an unnamed  League One club.

The 25-year-old has been allowed to talk to the mystery side  in order to discuss personal  terms.

 The full-back still has one  year to go on his current deal  but turned down an offer of a  three-year extension earlier in  the month.