JOSS Labadie is back – and determined to finally prove himself at Notts County.
The 22-year-old midfielder is set to start for the Magpies at Bournemouth in League One, after boss Chris Kiwomya recalled him from a one-month loan at League Torquay United, where he scored four goals in seven games.
He has only made four league starts for Notts since moving to Meadow Lane last summer and has joked: "I don't think the Notts fans know who I am do they?
"I feel a bit like that a little bit because they've not seen anywhere near the best of me, but hopefully I can change that starting today."
The Magpies' fans will certainly know who he is if he stays in top form in the last few games of the season and Labadie says his loan move was the best thing that could have happened.
"I enjoyed it," he added. "It was just nice to play because I've not played much this season as you all know.
"That was down to Bish (Neal Bishop) and Boucs (Andre Boucaud), who have done extremely well.
"I had no complaints, but it was frustrating and when I wasn't playing I was on at Keith Curle to go out on loan a couple of times, but he saw me as cover for those two.
"Then the first time I asked Chris (Kiwomya) he didn't want to let me go out, but I was growing more frustrated so in the end he let me go.
"It was good to get a run of games together and show what I can do and I'm enjoying my football again.
"I've always wanted to play regularly and hopefully I've shown everyone what I can do and I'll be able to play a bit more here now.
"Games and goals only give you confidence and I think I was doing quite well down there and hopefully I can bring it back here to Notts."
Having been starved of action in black-and-white stripes, he admits he headed to the south coast determined to prove a point.
"I only started two league games on the bounce once here this season and I always knew that if I got a run of games I could really do the business," he added.
"I don't know where all the goals came from!
"It was good to get on the scoresheet and, as I say, it was just good to play.
"I was actually playing as a defensive midfielder, but I was timing my runs well.
"I suppose I got lucky a couple of times and managed to finish a few."
He was originally set to stay at Torquay until the end of the season, but Notts put a recall clause in the deal and he says he is glad to be back at Meadow Lane.
"In football you always want to play the highest that you can," he said.
"It's a higher level here and this is where I'm contracted and I want to show everyone here that I can play and do well.
"I think this is the best thing that could have happened really.
"I've put myself in the shop window and showed everyone what I am capable of.
"I've got to do the business here now and put myself in a good position for next year, wherever that may be."
It could still be with Notts because there is a one-year extension option on his current deal with the club, which is a turnaround because he looked on his way out of Meadow Lane when he was loaned out to The Gulls.
"Things can change very quickly in football," said Labadie.
"After the month I've had down there I'm back and the new gaffer wants to see what I can do so hopefully I can do the business.
"I do expect to play a bit more and be given more of an opportunity, that's what the gaffer has said he would like to do, but I've got to earn a place.
"If I'm selected today I've got to play well and prove that I am capable of more starts."
Despite all of his frustrations in his first season at Notts, he says he would still like to stay with the club.
"Yeah, definitely. It's a great club to be at, it's a big club," he said.
"I'm sure they will be fighting for promotion next year and if they want me to be a part of that I will be really happy.
"I've still got lots to learn and hopefully I can learn under Chris and Dean (Austin).
"I can play attacking midfield or defensive, I can do box-to-box, whatever the manager asks me to do I'll happily do, I'll do any job really.
"I'm very energetic, I like a tackle, I just like to get about the pitch."
Labadie also knows expectations will be sky high when he walks out at Dean Court because of the goal-scoring form he has shown at Torquay.
"Just the hat-trick tomorrow then!" he joked.
Three points would also be very welcome for the Magpies after back-to-back defeats over Easter.
