JAMIE Cuss admits he is 'a' million miles away' from playing for Hereford after linking up with Kington Town.

The Bulls player is on loan at the West Midlands (Regional) League Division side and came off the bench in the second half during last Saturday's vital 3-0 win over Willenhall Town.

But Cuss said he found it difficult and it will take him a long time to get back to the player he once prior to the knee injury he sustained last season that required a major operation.

"To play for Hereford I need to be on top of my game and physically and mentally, I'm not there," said Cuss.

"But I'm just to be glad to be back playing football.

"It's harder than people think coming back from injury and getting back into it and allowing yourself to take a tackle and head the ball.

"It's difficult but you've just got to start doing what you used to do.

"It will be in my head and I don't want it to happen again."

Cuss said it was nice to be involved in a league game after his previous appearance this season came for Hereford in the HFA County Challenge Cup thrashing of Tenbury United.

"The Tenbury game wasn't really competitive, it was more like a training session and I've done that for the last eight weeks," said Cuss.

"But this was a competitive league game and they needed to win and it was good to be involved in it.

"It was a big six-pointer and I think they did ever so well.

"Hopefully they can take that forward and get three points as well."

Cuss said he didn't mind dropping to Kington's level in order to play football and believes Town manager Sam Bowen can help him.

"I've known Sam for years, I played with him at Westfields and have played against Kington," said Cuss.

"I know Sam had a bad injury when he broke his leg and he knows what I've been going through.

"Even before he came to Kington I spoke to him and we've sorted things out.

"It's hard to find a club that will just take you for half and hour and Kington and Sam have been great.

"In the next game I can play 45 minutes and then after that, another 45.

"The doctor has told me not to play 90 minutes but it's a big ask to join a club and play the 30 minutes.

"Some clubs will say, 'we've got Jamie Cuss on the bench, I will put him on for 45 when he's only meant to play 30.

"But Sam has been quite straight and gets on quite well with ]Hereford manager] Pete Beadle because [his son] Jarrod played for him.

"I won't get overused and Sam looks after his players."

Bowen added that it will be a gradual process to get Cuss back to the level that he wants to be at.

"You could tell he's been injured and looking at him, it's too early for him if truth be told," said Bowen.

"I think we need to have a look at that in helping him along a little bit and not put him on for too long.

"But you can't expect too much from him because he's had his injury and I told him he's not the player he was 18 months ago because he's had a big operation.

"We've just get him back and be up and running and he's got to ease himself back in by just doing simple things and playing."