Crewe's Calvin Zola frustrated by injury breaks

Zola scored 15 goals in 30 starts last season

Crewe striker Calvin Zola says that a lengthy run without injuries is all he needs to rediscover his best form.

The 25-year-old has scored once this season and recently returned from a knee problem picked up in August.

Zola scored 14 goals in the first half of last season before injury reduced him to one since the turn of the year.

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "When you stop and start it's difficult to get going again. There's a lot more to come from me and there have been positive signs."

Crewe boss Dario Gradi has been critical of the profligacy shown by the club's strikers in front of goal this season, but Zola is confident that he can offer a clinical presence at the head of the attack.

"If I can keep myself fit and get a few games under my belt it can only do me good," he said.

If we can turn some of those draws we have been getting into wins, especially at home, we are going to be in contention

Calvin Zola

"Goal tally is what strikers are judged on. I offer much more than goals but I'm working in training to put goals into my game once again."

He also reminded fans that there is plenty of time for the Alex to build on their solid if unspectacular start.

"It's a long, long season, which we've barely started and we've got something to build on which is always good for a team," he said.

"If we can turn some of those draws we have been getting into wins, especially at home, we are going to be in contention (near the top of the league)."