Adam Hammill says his superb winning goal on his return to Barnsley felt better than any of the previous screamers that earned him a move away from the club – and he is determined to reignite his fortunes and those of the Reds.

The 27-year-old winger signed a two-month contract until early January on Monday then got the winner the following day against York City in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. He says it is possible that he will stay longer at Oakwell but is currently focusing on making a major impact in the run-up to Christmas.

"I have a lot of fond memories of my time at Barnsley and hold the club in high regard," said Hammill, who played 84 games and scored 13 goals for the Reds between 2009 and 2011 after signing from Liverpool.

"Barnsley is the club where I had my best time as a player. A lot of that is down to the fans. They give me that freedom to express myself and entertain.  Everyone has welcomed me back and been brilliant with me. It's not a move that is incentivised by money. It's just a place where I feel at home and a club that I feel will get the best out of me.

"I don't know what is around the corner. I have signed for two months, which is 11 games, and I have told the gaffer I want at least six goals and six assists in that time. I am setting myself targets which I have never done before.  I am focused.

"I have a performance coach who helps me with things like he told me to visualise scoring against York and it worked. I am doing everything in my power to get my career going again."

In almost five years since leaving Barnsley for Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2011, Hammill has made 71 league starts and 42 appearances off the bench – scoring six goals – for Wolves, Middlesbrough, Rotherham and Huddersfield, who released him in September. He has mainly been playing in the Championship – as well as brief Premier League stint with Wolves – and this is the first time he has been outside the top two tiers of English football. He received a suspended sentence after admitting to an attack on two paramedics in 2012 but says he has grown up and is ready to restart his career.

He said: "I have a young family at home with a ten-month-old daughter and that gives you the extra maturity you need. In the past year I have grown up a hell of a lot. We all make mistakes but mine have been well-publicised.  I was really down about it but I want everyone to see that not only am I a good player but I'm a good person too. Hopefully people at Barnsley know that.

"I have turned a leaf in my life and it's time for me to fulfil my potential. I will work as hard as I have ever worked so I am not looking back in ten years' time with regrets."

Head coach Lee Johnson said the short-term deal 'suited both parties' and that he would like to extend it if Hammill continues to play like he did against York. Johnson added: "I think he's turned his life around. In the past he has had issues. Not crazy issues but just issues that anyone would have in their life.

"I look at him and see he has the bit between his teeth and a spark in his eye. "He is hungry and wants to prove himself to the world. I hope I can make him an even better player than he has been and he can help us climb the league and get to Wembley."

Hammill played 18 minutes of competitive football in two substitute appearances for Huddersfield in August and admits it was tough to complete the game on Tuesday. He said: "I cramped up about four or five times so I was lucky to still be on the pitch to score the goal. I thought I had the beating of the full-back all night. I got past him and I was lucky enough to put the ball in the top corner. I have done it a few times for Barnsley and that felt even sweeter than all of the other goals."

Hammill was the oldest player to complete the match on Tuesday after being the youngest when he was last at Barnsley. He said: "I have added a bit of experience and knowhow and that's different for me because I was on the receiving end of that last time. But I am thriving on it and enjoying it.  I want to be someone the other players look up to and can come to for advice.  I have seen the talent is there but the lads needed geeing up a bit and to get that win.  The team should be in the play-off places with the quality they have."