And Zenden admitted that he would have liked to have found the net during the pre-season matches, but is confident that he will do so in the coming weeks.
"I've been disappointed not to have got on the scoresheet but I'm determined to put that right as soon as possible. I haven't set myself any particular goalscoring targets and I suppose it doesn't really matter who scores the goals so long as the team is winning but I'd love to be more prolific in front of goal once the season starts," he said.
He added, "You can't just rely on the strikers to score, I'm well aware of that and my aim is to chip in with a fair share of goals myself."
And the Dutchman also said he is relishing a return to the Riverside on the opening day of the season with his new club.
"Obviously I am looking forward to going back. I had two fantastic years there, one in which we won the club's first ever trophy and the next year we played in Europe, which was also a first for the club. For me it is ironic that my new club is playing my old club on the opening day. I perhaps would have preferred for it to have been later in the season but I can't wait for it now."
But despite being a key player in the Boro set-up for several years, he is wary of the reception which will greet him when he returns.
"I don't know what type of reaction I'll receive from the Middlesbrough fans but I hope it's a good one. As I've said, the club enjoyed two successful years during the time I was there and hopefully they appreciate the part I played in that. I gave them everything I had and feel I left with my head held high," he concluded.