 He scored four goals in 29 games in 1997–98, but lost his first team place after manager Denis Smith was replaced by Malcolm Shotton in December 1997.In February 1998, Aldridge joined Southend United on loan, playing eleven times for Alvin Martin's struggling Division Tside, before returning to Oxford, who released him at the end of the season.In August 1998 he joined Second Division Blackpool, and was the club's top scorer in 1998–99 with ten goals.