Cook Closing In on Return After Devastating Injury Blow
34-year-old Andy Cook had netted 15 goals in the first half of last season before his campaign was cut short early in the New Year’s Day clash at Barrow’s Holker Street due to a serious ACL injury.
Despite the setback, Bradford City powered on without their talisman, clinching promotion to League One on the final day of the season. The Bantams marked their return to the third tier with a 2-1 win over Wycombe on Saturday afternoon.
Now, manager Graham Alexander has offered a promising update on Cook’s recovery. As reported by the Yorkshire Post, the veteran striker trained with the squad on Monday for the first time since suffering the injury—just two days after the club’s season opener.
While Alexander didn’t commit to a specific return date, he indicated that Cook could be back in action sometime in the autumn if his recovery continues to go smoothly.
“Cooky has worked incredibly hard to get to this stage,” Alexander said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Northampton Town. “Right now, it’s about managing the load—he’s on a one-day-on, one-day-off schedule so we can monitor how his knee responds.”
“We’ve got to remember he’s not coming back from just a short layoff. There are still a few hurdles he needs to clear, but he’s making real progress, and it’s been a big lift having him back training with the lads.”
Cook, who joined Bradford from Mansfield back in 2020, is now the club’s longest-serving player. Alexander stressed the importance of easing the striker back carefully, noting that at 34, managing his return is crucial.
“We’ve got to keep expectations realistic, both for the fans and for Cooky himself,” the manager added. “Once he’s back, we want it to be for the long haul—not a stop-start return.”
Cook has been a standout figure at Valley Parade ever since making his move permanent following a loan spell in the 2020/21 season. He has 85 goals in 192 appearances for the club, including an unforgettable 31-goal haul in the 2022/23 campaign.
Returning from a major injury at Cook’s age is no easy task, but given his track record, he’s earned the chance to prove himself in League One. His comeback would be a huge boost for Bradford as they look to build on a positive start.
Until then, Stephen Humphrys—who led the line against Wycombe—will likely keep his place up front. But once Cook is fully fit, the two could form a dangerous attacking partnership as the Bantams push on in their new League One journey.
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