Why didn't you apply for a re-entry permit in relation to the 2008-2009 extended absence? That would have made things a lot simpler.
The absence of six months to one year creates reasonable presumption that you intended to abandon your residence. You can rebut the presumption with evidence that you had not abandoned U.S. residence - documentation of the nature of your stay in England and that it was known from the start to be of limited duration, continuation of home ownership or leases, bank accounts, etc., in the United States, whatever else you can think of... - but this puts you on the defensive.
It wouldn't hurt to be consulting an immigration lawyer about how to best rebut the presumption.

