The comeback trail has been a long one for Lee Hills, but the Crystal Palace left-back can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

The 21-year-old has not played for almost 18 months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Derby County in April 2010, but took a big step to recovery when he started running for the first time last week.

Despite the step forward, he remains apprehensive to put a definite date on a return but is adamant he will be back before Christmas.

"Running was a shock to the system and it's been hard having been out for 15 months," he said.

"But it was just good to get back out there.

"I have worked really hard to get strong again and hopefully I am over the worst of it.

"It has been the most testing time of my career - to not even be able to walk up the stairs without pain has been really hard.

"But my legs are strong now and I just need to get fit and get ready to deal with the intensity of Championship football and training every day.

"I have no real timeline but I definitely want to be back playing before Christmas.

"It just depends on how it goes and I know now not to rush it as I have done that before and it went wrong.

"It is not about the next two weeks, it is about the rest of my career."

Hills has been forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as Palace made a strong start to the Championship season and admits he cannot wait to work with manager Dougie Freedman.

"I go to watch all the time but it is hard as I want to be out there," he said.

"But I like to see how the team is playing and doing and I want to be part of it.

"Dougie has come in and I think he is an amazing manager.

"He is really good with me and the players and I know he will help me come back a better player."