MATT Mills has warned his former club Reading that he is aiming to embark on a scoring streak.

After ending a drought stretching back 15 months with his equaliser against Nottingham Forest last weekend, the big defender says his appetite has been whetted for more.

The Royals know only too well that he can be handy in the opposition box – Mills having chipped in with eight goals over the course of two seasons at the Madejski Stadium, including an FA Cup winner against Everton and one at Wembley in a play-off final defeat against Swansea City.

“I think there are more goals in me,” said the 27-year-old centre-half, who has been one of the fixtures and fittings in the Wanderers line-up since September. “When I look back on my career I have usually scored and then gone on a bit of a run so I’m hoping there are more goals to come in the next few weeks.

“It’s something I need to get back to. If I keep making the runs and the delivery is as good as it was against Forest then more will come.”

Tomorrow will be the first time Mills has been back to the Madejski since leaving Reading in a £5million move to Leicester City.

Keen not to stoke up the fires too much, the defender was diplomatic with his response when asked what it will be like to play against the side he helped to the fringes of the Premier League.

“It’s just another game,” he said. “But it’s a tough one because they have done fairly well this season.

“We need to be up for it and I think it will be another good test to see where we are at.”

Exactly where Wanderers are “at” seems to be in some dispute – with players in the dressing room still feeling a play-off push in the second half of the campaign is possible. The feeling outside the camp is more pragmatic.

Mills falls very much into the former category – and as someone who has plied most of his career in the Championship, it is hard to argue with his logic.

“You can be as negative as you want but there are still 60-odd points to play for and a very long way to go,” he said. “I’ve played in this division for a long time and it only takes a few wins and all of a sudden you are reeling teams in. If it has to be one point at a time, then fine.

“At the start of the season there was a bit of naivety about us. But I think we all understand what this division needs now.

“You need to roll up your sleeves, get your challenges in and make tackles. All that goes towards getting a result.

“The manager has spoken about fine margins but if you are not prepared to put your head in and make your challenges then teams will roll you over. You might as well give up.”