The Sweden international, an £8.5m signing from Toulouse in June 2008, struggled to adapt to life in the Barclays Premier League and ended the 2008/09 campaign with just five goals.

But after having had time to settle in, the striker says he is more confident now but went through some serious soul-searching during his barren spell.

 "It went really well in Toulouse and then nothing worked at all," he said. "You just don't get it. You hope it is in there somewhere but the longer you go you start wondering if it is ever going to come back.

"It was a really tough experience to go through. I hate sitting on the bench. Mentally I really was at rock bottom."

Elmander believes his form is returning and he will soon be back to his best.

"The turning point came when I had a decent international against Hungary (in September)," he said.

"I felt I still had it in me. I could run and it didn't hurt and the touch was still there.

"The last month has felt fantastic. It feels like that Toulouse form is finally here again."

Elmander's next opportunity to impress in the Barclays Premier League will be this Sunday, when Blackburn Rovers visit the Reebok Stadium.