Elvis Hammond says Cheltenham Town fans will not see him at his best until next season.

The Ghanaian striker has battled back from a 15-month injury absence and he made a stuttering start to his Robins career.

However, boss Martin Allen handed him an 18-month contract in January after a brief trial period.

After initially struggling to make an impact at Cheltenham, Hammond took centre stage with a brace in last Tuesday's 2-2 derby draw at Swindon Town.

He finally showed a glimpse of the ability that saw him start his career at Fulham, where he made 11 Premier League appearances during the 2002-03 campaign.

He fired in his spectacular first from long range to make it 1-1 seconds after Swindon had taken the lead.

And his second goal was a well taken finish after a long Lee Ridley throw was not dealt with by the home defence.

It put the Robins 2-1 up at the County Ground and sparked an acrobatic flip that the 28-year-old is hoping to make his trademark by finding the net on a regular basis.

But Hammond, who was forced to sit out all of last season with ankle problems, believes he is still some way short of his top form.

"Two score twice at Swindon felt great and I was pleased with it," Hammond said. "But I am not there yet. I want a good pre-season under my belt and can kick on for next season.

"Having 15 months out injured was hard for me and it was even harder coming back, but I will keep going and see what next season brings.

"The ankle is holding up just about, but I want to get this season out of the way and do some more rehab."

Hammond will return to former club Leicester City today for the first time since being released by the Foxes last summer.

There was a time when he kept the Foxes' current leading scorer Matty Fryatt on the bench at the Walkers Stadium.

But he was put on the transfer list by Allen during his brief reign as Leicester boss in 2007.

"He (Allen) put me on the list, but the tables have turned and that happens sometimes," Hammond said.

"Managers come in with their own ideas and football is always changing so I had to take it on the chin.

"This will be the first time I have been back there and I will enjoy it.

"It was a good experience there, playing in the Championship.

"The squad has changed, but there are one or two there I will say 'hello' to and have a chat with after the game."