Leeds United hard man Danny Mills is looking to side-step more disciplinary trouble and rescue an England World Cup place.

The rugged right-back with the worst disciplinary record in the Premiership faces Arsenal tomorrow before starting a four-match ban that could stretch to seven if an FA charge against him holds up next month.

Mills misses vital games against Chelsea, Liverpool, Middlesbrough and Charlton after his red card for kicking out at Craig Bellamy during Leeds' 3-1 defeat at Newcastle.

And early next month the FA hold a delayed hearing into remarks made to officials by Mills and Lee Bowyer after their dismissals the last time Leeds and Arsenal met, at Highbury in August.

National coach Sven-Goran Eriksson witnessed Mills' second sending-off of the season at St James' Park last Sunday, knowing similarly violent conduct at the World Cup finals could threaten England's chances.

Now, just when he should be striving to impress the England coach, Mills is staring at a long lay-off in the Premiership, with only the Euro stage beckoning in the near future.

Although he is free to play in both legs of Leeds' UEFA Cup fourth round tie against PSV Eindhoven on February 21 and 28, Mills is banned from his club's entire League programme next month.

And if he lands an additional three-match suspension for the Highbury incident he won't be back in League action until March 23 at Leicester.

Mills said: "I know I've got to improve my disciplinary record but some of my bookings this season have been harsh. It is difficult for me to change because it's that robust style that has got me where I am.

"It's a big month to six weeks for us. If we are there or thereabouts when we come out of playing all the so-called top teams, it gives us a great chance to push on and take the title."

- Robbie Fowler replaces the newly-suspended Alan Smith in the attack against Arsenal, having missed the Newcastle game after the death of his father-in-law.

Updated: 10:59 Saturday, January 19, 2002