Marseille star André Ayew believes he "can still do better" despite playing a lead role in his club's excellent Ligue 1 campaign.
The Ghanaian international may have been ignored by his country for the on-going Africa Cup of Nations, but the Black Stars' loss is Marseille's gain with the elder of the Ayew brothers having struck a rich vein of form.
A tally of four goals in six games, embellished by a strike and an assist in last weekend's 3-2 defeat of Montpellier Hérault SC, has helped move Marseille to within a point of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, but the 23-year-old expects there is even better to come.
"I had a very difficult start to the season, but I knew that it would come back little by little," said Ayew, who did not score the first of his six L1 strikes until OM's 2-0 win at AC Ajaccio in Week 11.
"Since November, I've been on the same upward trajectory. But I can still do better."
The reason for Ayew's slow start to the campaign was the rustiness accrued during a three-month lay-off following a shoulder operation in late April.
Though the problem meant he could do nothing to help OM end last season on a more positive note, it did have some benefits.
"To keep the ball, I used my arms a lot when I was dribbling. When you can't do that, you adapt," he said.
"I've watched myself play a few times. Now, I play more simply, it's helped me improve."