CHRIS Cadden is enjoying the greater variety of opponents in English football, even if that means more homework than he was used to in Scotland.

The right back made an assured start to his Oxford United loan in the 1-1 draw at Sunderland last weekend.

It was his first experience of the Stadium of Light – and the novelty factor will continue every week for a player sampling his first football south of the border.

Next are Peterborough United, so Cadden has been going through clips of potential opponents he will be up against tomorrow.

But the 22-year-old is enjoying getting his teeth into something new.

“It’s a weird one because in Scotland you play teams three or four times a season,” the former Motherwell defender said.

“We played Celtic once three times in a week.

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“So for me it’s exciting to go and play in different stadiums against different opponents every week.

“The analysis boys here are good and send you the clips of people you’re coming up against, so you have a fair idea, but it’s a test for me and one I can hopefully deal with.

“I’ll do as much homework as I can and with the preparation we do through the week there’s no stone left unturned. It helps.”

The good news for Cadden – other than the fact his homework can take a break next week with Posh also visiting in the Carabao Cup – is while everything is new to him, for the moment he is also an unknown quantity.

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But Darren Ferguson’s analysis team will not have needed to watch United’s clash at the Stadium of Light for long to spot Cadden’s partnership with James Henry on the right flank.

The Scotland international said: “Jamoe’s more of a No 10, so he comes inside a lot more, which naturally leaves space round the outside.

“That’s a dream for me really, so I guess naturally we fell into place.

“We’re not the finished article yet, but I’m enjoying playing with him.”

And Henry is not the only player around Cadden who has been a help.

“I thought Rob Dickie was unbelievable last Saturday,” he said.

“When you have someone as good as that alongside you it means you can go forward with a bit more freedom and not worry about the back four.

“It makes my job easier if he’s playing alongside me.”

He added: “The squad’s still gelling, but it’s good to get these tests early on and see where you are.

“It will be a good indication for us because they (Sunderland and Peterborough) will probably be up there at the end of the season.

“If we can get a couple of results against them, then why can’t we?”