'Cook closing in on return but patience key'

Barrow away on New Year's Day feels like a lifetime ago. English football has a habit of moving on quickly, positive results are at a premium.

As the referee got things underway in Cumbria, little did Bradford City know that 2025 would go on to be their year. It might have taken until the final kick of their season to confirm their six-year-long wait for promotion back to League One was over – but with six minutes gone at Holker Street, hopes of achieving that feat were significantly in the balance.

I'll never forget our BBC Radio Leeds co-commentator that day, former City winger Andy Kiwomya, instantly exclaim with fear that Andy Cook had "done his ACL". You could hear the gasps from West Yorkshire.

The 34-year-old has been this club's go-to man for goals since his arrival in January 2021, at times single-handedly grinding them towards results. 85 goals later, his title of talisman is not misplaced.

To Bradford City and manager Graham Alexander's credit, they found a way to cope without their number nine through the second-half of last season, but it speaks volumes that Cook still ended the campaign as the club's leading marksman with 15 goals.

With such a significant injury came the questions from some: "Will he come back the same?"

As Cook told BBC Radio Leeds in March, that doubt feeds his motivation. The experienced forward has built a career on proving others wrong.

Which is why it's key that all concerned with Bradford City, including Cook himself, must be patient. His importance to this squad should not be understated, even if football does move quickly.

Alexander revealed this week that Cook had intermittently returned to full training, but with hurdles still to overcome.

His stringent rehab schedule has led to a day-by-day routine that has been carried through into the off-season - with plenty of hours spent in the gym at the club's Woodhouse Grove training base.

It's clear from the footage put out by the club's in-house media that Cook has been disciplined with his recovery plan, now more than eight months on.

While we all await the moment Cook steps back out on the Valley Parade turf, it must be done with the utmost care and consideration. If it means another month or two to wait, then so be it.

He still has so much more to show in the colours of Bradford City.