Elmander can fire up Whites - Davies (From The Bolton News)

Elmander can fire up Whites - Davies

9:00am Tuesday 17th November 2009

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KEVIN Davies hopes reinvigorated strike partner Johan Elmander will help fire Wanderers back to form.

The Swede’s first Premier League goal for 11 months was one of scant few positives to come from the Whites’ 5-1 defeat to Aston Villa last time out.

And with wounds yet to heal from that performance, Davies has backed the club record signing to continue his rehabilitation in front of goal in this weekend’s local derby with Blackburn Rovers.

“I have said time and time again about him, he’s a good player who works hard for the team,” Davies said.

“He probably needs a run in the side to get his fitness back up but he’s looked sharp the last couple of weeks in training and he’s got a point to prove to everyone.

“We have got a big derby game next up, so that has to be everyone’s focus.”

Elmander, pictured, will be pushing for a start on Sunday, after grabbing his first league goal since last December at Villa Park.

The Swede admitted he began to doubt his own ability after a difficult first season in England.

Elamnder struggled to adapt to the Barclays Premier League and finished the campaign with just five goals.

The player claims 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. You just don’t get it,” recalled Elmander over his lack of form.

“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 added.

”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.”

The £8.2million man has struggled for fitness this season, losing his place in the side after the arrival of Ivan Klasnic on loan from Nantes.

Gary Megson admits his striker has plenty to prove to Wanderers’ fans after failing to supply the goods in his time at the Reebok.

“He’s found himself out of the team and whether that’s had a positive effect, I don’t know,” the manager said.

“It’s a big season for him and it’s nice he scored against Aston Villa.

“He’s a good player but he’s got to deliver on a regular basis the same as everybody else.”

Wanderers’ poor defensive record of late has become a big worry for the Wanderers boss - but the skipper is not laying the blame squarely at the feet of the back four as he prepares to face his former club.“ The clean sheets are a massive thing for us,” Davies said.

“Everyone knows we are leaking goals for fun at the minute.“It isn’t just the defence, it’s everyone right through the side, starting at me. We have to get better at protecting Jussi – it’s difficult for him. We’re in it together and we’ll get out of it together.

“The next game against Blackburn becomes an absolutely massive game for us now. We have got to get ready for it.”

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