Freedman trained with Southend United's squad yesterday, four weeks after sustaining a thigh strain, and he is willing Steve Tilson to include him in the Shrimpers' starting line-up for this evening clash with Leeds at Roots Hall.

The 34-year-old is in line for his first reunion with Leeds since the end of his highly successful loan spell at Elland Road, and his return would be welcomed by Tilson on the back of Southend's 4-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Leeds bypassed the chance to sign Freedman permanently, leaving the way clear for Southend to capture the forward on a free transfer from Crystal Palace, but he expressed his gratitude today for the four-month stay in Yorkshire which saw him help United reach the League One play-off final.

Freedman told the YEP: "I've been out for four weeks with this injury and it's felt more like four years but I've picked a good game to be back for.

"If things had happened differently in the summer then I could have been wearing a different shirt tonight but I prefer to count my blessings. I had a magical time with Leeds and I'm loving my time at Southend. When football tells you to move on, that's what you do.

"If I play tonight then you'll get total effort from me but not because I want to prove that Leeds were wrong in not signing me. That's petty. Gary McAllister had other plans and a manager has to be his own man. I completely respect that.

"For me, my time at Leeds was a pleasure and an absolute honour. People tend to say that off the cuff whenever they go to Leeds but I really mean it. To have that club on my CV and to say that what I did there was appreciated by the supporters – which I think it was – is a big thing.

"Even if I pop a couple of goals in tonight, I hope the Leeds fans will recognise that I'm doing what a striker does. There'll be no stupid celebrations or anything like that because I valued all the support they gave me."

Freedman's ability to perform in League One, has been apparent again this season, and his four league appearances have produced the same number of goals. Southend have won two of five matches in his absence, and the club are relying on a strong home record to keep them in touch with the play-off positions in the League One table, five points behind Leeds.

Leeds failed to win either of their previous two visits to Roots Hall, losing 1-0 last season and drawing 1-1 during the previous term, and Freedman said: "It's a difficult ground to come to.

"Elland Road is a massive stadium and the noise in there can be crazy but Roots Hall is a tight little ground and it's very intense. Our home form is crucial to us this season and even though Leeds are second in the league, we have to be looking to beat them.

"They're in great form and Gary must be happy with their position. They've had a good start and the thing about Leeds is they'll finish the season as strongly as any other team.

"That's what they did last year, and I would argue that the season ended too soon. We were on such a good roll that I still believe six more games would have taken us up automatically."