January 2 2010

Freddie Sears

Freddie Sears believes he has become a better player while on loan at Crystal Palace after returning to parent club West Ham.

The 20-year-old striker spent the first half of the season at Selhurst Park, making 18 appearances for Neil Warnock's side.

Although Sears did not score, the West Ham Academy product impressed and had a goal wrongly disallowed away to Bristol City when it rebounded out of the back of the net.

"It feels good to be back," he said. "It was a different type of football at Palace. I was played a lot on the right wing. Sometimes that was good, sometimes it was frustrating if you are not in the game.

"You have just got to try and get the best out of the experience and that was the main aim. I had a great time there and couldn't knock it. There was not a minute of it I didn't like and they have helped me along. It has all been part of my learning curve."

"I am a better player," he added. "Training every day here does improve you and it makes you better as a person and player. I want to improve and get in the starting team here.

"The Palace experience has helped me. You grow up a lot when you leave the place where you know everything and have to start again. It is great to be able to come back and show that I have learned a lot."

Meanwhile, Eagles keeper Darryl Flahavan has cut short his loan spell at Oldham after fracturing his cheekbone. The 31-year-old made eight appearances for the Latics.