SOUTHEND United striker Freddie Ladapo feels he is heading back to where his Football League education began this weekend.

The 25-year-old started last season on loan at Oldham Athletic.

And the forward feels he is still reaping the benefits from his spell at Boundary Park.

“It will be good to go back to Oldham on Saturday, and I really did learn a lot in my time there,” said Ladapo.

“It was difficult for me, especially at the start, but it was the first time I had been out on loan in the Football League.

“It was good for me and I found out a lot about this league, which has definitely helped me.”

Ladapo scored three goals in 15 starts while with Latics but is now enjoying life back in League One with Blues.

The striker signed for the Shrimpers on transfer deadline day at the end of January and already feels settled at Roots Hall despite his lack of goals.

“I’m loving it here,” said Ladapo, who has started the last two matches in attack.

“The manager has made me feel very welcome and the games have been going well too, so long may that continue.

"I haven’t scored yet and of course that’s something, as a striker, I want to improve but the results have been going well and that’s always the most important thing.”

Ladapo has yet to taste defeat with Blues and has helped Chris Powell’s side work their way up to 13th in the League One standings.

In contrast, Oldham remain in the relegation zone. But Ladapo is taking nothing for granted this weekend.

“Oldham will be another very tough game, just like they all are in this league,” said the striker.

“The team has changed quite a bit since I was there, but they’ve had some good results and it’s another game where we will have to make sure we stick together, just like we did against Portsmouth.”

Ladapo caused problems alongside Simon Cox last time out and is enjoying his new strike partnership.

“It’s good to play up there with Simon even if he does keep on giving me stick on Instagram about my two touch skills!” he added.