Patience is paying off for Darren McQueen as the fit-again striker prepares to launch himself back into the National League limelight.

It's more than 300 days since McQueen suffered a serious knee injury playing for Ebbsfleet against FC Halifax.

He had surgery and was briefly in contention to make a comeback towards the end of last season.

But that plan was scrapped and, three months on, McQueen admitss that was the right decision.

He said: "The best thing I did was not rush back last season. Giving myself extra recovery has helped me in the long run.

"I didn't feel right so the gaffer said 'don't push it.'

"I just wanted to get a goal in pre-season and I managed that. I'm happy I got through it and I haven't had any setbacks.

"I'm feeling good. I'm not expecting to be at the same point where I left off but there's enough games for me to gradually get back into it. To be back playing is a blessing in itself."

Since joining Fleet two years ago, McQueen has started 32 games and scored 23 goals and he plans to maintain that ratio.

"I want to score 20 goals this season," he said. "Even though I'm in the league above now, I want replicate what I did when I first came here and I think I've got the ability to.

"It's almost like it's my first season at the club again because I've missed so much. I'm raring to go.

"The main thing is just to get through the season injury-free.

"I'm still wary of (the knee) but that's just in my head. I saw the surgeon and he said everything's fine so as long as it doesn't swell up, I just have to push through.

"We all want to do well this year. We achieved a lot last season and we want to push on from that.

"Our aim is to finish as high as possible and better what we did last season.

"There's a lot more competition in this league. I was getting to grips with it and my time was cut short but I don't think I or the team have anything to fear."