This time last year few people would have thought that Nathan Ellington would be in the yellow of Watford ever again, let alone be welcomed onto the field by chants of ‘Duke’ from the Hornets fans.

Ellington’s Watford career seemed to be over last summer when he joined his old Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell at Derby County, in a £1.5m season-long loan with the view to a free transfer in the summer.

The striker made 30 appearances for Derby in the last campaign but Jewell resigned in December and his replacement Nigel Clough only fielded the striker twice for the rest of the season.

In a frank interview with the Watford Observer, Ellington had some harsh words to say about his former managers – Clough, Brendan Rodgers and Aidy Boothroyd.

Ellington said: “I had an injury while I was at Derby but I managed to do well during the first part of the season but the new manager [Clough] overlooked me.

“I trained the way I have been here but Malky [Mackay] can see that and at Derby it was about something other than football, where they already had it in their mind that I was going back to Watford.”

Even when it looked like Ellington was certain to return to Hertfordshire, his Hornets career still seemed to be finished after former Watford boss Rodgers claimed his “future would lie elsewhere”.

“It definitely upset me,” Ellington revealed. “He [Rodgers] hadn’t even met me and was already talking like I was dismissed. I didn’t understand why he would say that before he had even seen me train. That was very disappointing.”

Ellington remains Watford’s record signing after his £3.25m move from West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2007.

The 28-year-old scored goals wherever he had been and has commanded more than £9m in transfer fees during his career, but he only managed four goals in 38 appearances during his first season at Vicarage Road.

The striker admits he could have dealt with things better but puts a large proportion of the blame on the man who signed him – current Colchester United boss Boothroyd.

He said: “To be honest there were a few people at the place [Watford] who weren’t the best people to have around the dressing room and they have left now.

“The manager wanted to play a style which didn’t suit the players at all and that is why we had the bad run.

“He brought in players that don’t play that way. I could have dealt with it a bit better but it was hard.”

Ellington arrived back at Watford in the summer and straight away new manager Mackay included the striker in his pre-season squad.

But the former Bristol Rovers man was left “frustrated” when he was injured during his first start of the campaign at Sheffield United.

He is yet to score during seven appearances this season but he returns tomorrow (Saturday) after seeing red last weekend and believes he can get back to his best.

When asked whether Mackay was one of the reasons why he felt confident he could perform again, Ellington said: “He is not just one of the reasons, he is all the reasons.

“It is all about the manager. If the manager doesn’t like you then you can be completely unseen. With a manager like Malky, he listens to what you have to say and whether he agrees or disagrees with what you say, he still listens and that is very important.

“There is a good feeling around the place. It is fun but still disciplined.

“Credit to him, he has just become a manager so for him to get to this level so quickly and to have started so well, I am happy for him.”

Watford are actively looking to reduce their wage bill though, and as one of the club’s highest earners, Ellington is under no illusions that he may be sold in January.

He said: “It is no secret that the club needs to get me off the wage bill so whatever happens, happens. But while I am here, I am happy to play and see what happens in the transfer window.

“If there is a chance for me to move and it is good for the club and everybody else then fine.”

But at the moment, the ‘Duke’ is just delighted to be back involved and hopes to repay the Watford fans for their support.

“I am definitely pleased to be back and part of the team,” Ellington said. “This time I am much more comfortable and we are playing good football that compliments me.

“It is a complete turnaround compared to what it was like the first time and hopefully the supporters can see that and I can start to repay them.

“Now I have to show people that I am still the same player, if not better.”