GARY Megson has revealed the secret to getting Johan Elmander back on the goal trail.

The £8.2million man has scored three in his last two games after being told by his manager to cut down on his work-rate.

Elmander had gone more than 10 hours without scoring a goal before netting against Middlesbrough, and also added a brace against Sunderland thanks to his new-found approach.

“We haven’t done a huge amount of work,” Megson explained. “He’s a very intelligent person and we haven’t asked him to do much differently, just play a little more centrally. Sometimes what happens with centre forwards at this club, because they are honest and work hard, when the ball comes centrally they aren’t in a position to score.

“Selfish isn’t the right word, but we told Johan to play a bit smarter and keep the work-rate up. He is playing in more dangerous positions now and has shown that with three goals in his last two games.”

Megson kept faith with the Sweden international throughout his difficult start to the season but is not surprised at the reward his is now reaping.

“What’s happening now is everyone is seeing he is scoring goals and thinking he is not a bad player,” he said. “We knew he was a good player and that the goals would come eventually.”