SHAUN Goater insists Freddy Eastwood has the talent to re-establish himself as one of the brightest talents outside of the Premier League.

Eastwood starred alongside the Bermudan while at Southend United and scored 25 goals during the 2005/06 season to help the Shrimpers win League One.

But, since leaving Blues, East-wood has scored just seven league goals in two seasons, one spent with Wolverhampton Wanderers and the other Coventry City.

And Goater insists Eastwood’s attitude will determine whether or not he faces a successful future in the game.

“Freddy’s ability has never been in doubt but it is whether he wants to prove people wrong and be as good as the Premier League,” said Goater, who scored 11 goals in 28 league starts for the Shrimpers.

“Freddy’s situation when he was at Southend was that he was a big fish in a small pond.

“His ability was beyond League One and League Two. For me he is definitely a Championship player, if not a Premier League one ability wise.

“But being a small fish in a big pond means he can lose his way easier. That is where he currently is but if he still has fight he will shine through eventually and do well again.”

Eastwood, who hails from Basil-don, joined Southend from Grays Athletic for just £40,000 in October 2004 and went on to become a Roots Hall hero by bagging 65 goals in 135 games.

His displays were arguably the main reason behind successive promotions for the Shrimpers into the Championship and he also netted a fantastic free-kick in the Carling Cup triumph over Manchester United in November 2006.

That helped secure a £1.5million move to Wolves in July 2007, but Goater thinks Eastwood will one day return to Blues.

“I’m sure he will come back and it will be a good story when he does,” added Goater.