Margate boss Nikki Bull says Freddie Ladapo has the quality to return to the Football League.

The former Colchester striker, 22, has scored nine goals in National League South this season and he was almost unplayable in the Blues' 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

Ladapo terrorised the Fleet defence for the whole of the first half and played a part in both goals, drawing special praise from his manager after the game.

Bull said: "We ask a lot of Freddie but I wouldn’t ask him to do that if I didn’t think he could.

"Even at League 2 or League 1 level you’d struggle to find a player that can play the lone striker role so well.

"The ball can come out of the sky, he brings it down on his chest, he twists and turns and defenders don’t know whether to twist or stick. He buys us good free-kicks and relieves a lot of pressure.

"I’ve said since I took the job, and having played with him this season, that when it all does click for him, the boy’s a real player."

So is Bull expecting offers for Ladapo during this transfer window?

He said: "I would say no. In this day and age, even at League 1 and League 2 level, with the exception of one or two teams, people want to do their homework a lot more because of the financial implications.

"A few years ago, a young striker (who had) three or four good months, someone would take a gamble on him. Now, people want to do their due diligence a bit more, research the player.

"I’ve said all along that I believe he will play at a much higher level.

"They had the England C scout here (goalkeeping coach Mick Payne) and he’d never heard of him. He said to me afterwards ‘who’s this boy?’

"But word will get round soon because I believe he’s that good."

Ebbsfleet boss Daryl McMahon said: "Ladapo did well against our two (centre-halves). Our two didn’t deal with him well enough.

"We missed Kenny Clark desperately. He’s the quickest centre-half we’ve got and I think it showed that we missed him a lot."