LEE Mills is eager to put a turbulent three months behind him to help steer Hereford United back into the Football League.

The 34-year-old striker began back-to-back Conference games for the first time in 2005 when partnering Adam Stansfield against Stevenage Borough and Carlisle United.

United chief Graham Turner handed Mills the responsibility in attack following the suspensions to young forward duo Danny Carey-Bertram and Leroy Williams.

But Mills admits to being about "75 per cent fit" after a rocky few months on and off the pitch.

Last December, the former Bradford, Manchester City and Portsmouth forward damaged tendons in the back of his ankle in the goalless draw at Scarborough.

While away from football, father-of-two Mills became a dad for the second time when his wife gave birth to a boy three weeks ago.

"It's been a bit of a difficult time for me, especially coming back from my injury," said Mills. "I was out for nearly three months when

we were hoping it was going to be about two to three weeks.

"When the lad tackled me at Scarborough, I naturally presumed it was just swelling and once it went that would be the end of it. But I damaged two tendons at the back of my ankle.

"I did a bit of damage in my comeback game at Burton. It was a case where I should have probably rested it for three weeks.

"It's been difficult coming back from the injury because there's not really been any reserve games to improve my fitness levels.

"I've had to get my fitness back in the first team but I'm not quite up to speed yet. There has also been one or two things happening away from the club.

"I was ill for a while and my wife gave birth to our second child three weeks ago and there's been a few sleepless nights. Sometimes I feel like things are conspiring against me.

"I've played the last two games but I'm probably 75 to 80 per cent fit. I was flagging for the last 15 minutes against Carlisle, but otherwise I felt pretty good."