Andy Cook feared Stuart McCall’s exit had ended his chances of Bradford City deal

The former City chief had made contact with representatives of the Mansfield Town striker towards the tail end of last year, but the interest went quiet after the Scot’s departure in December.

Thankfully for Cook’s sake, City got back in touch with his agent earlier this month and when told that a loan move had finally been agreed, he could not head to West Yorkshire fast enough.

The much-travelled forward said: “From what I got told, the inquiry first came from when the old ‘gaffer’ was here, so obviously that was leading up to January.

“There was a change of manager and it went quiet a bit and I thought it was dead in the water, to be honest.

“Then I got a phone call on Monday to say that the loan is agreed and to be fair, I was buzzing and just wanted to get up and sign.”

Cook’s arrival will provide another forward option for City following the news that top-scorer Lee Novak will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a knee injury.

Cook, 30, has joined on loan for the rest of the season and is hoping to secure something on a longer-term basis with his contract at Mansfield expiring in the summer.

The north-easterner netted a consolation goal for the Stags in their 3-1 home reverse to City on October 17 and also scored in his parent club’s 3-0 victory over the visitors in their League One game at Field Mill last January.

The former Tranmere and Walsall striker, who was also prolific in National League circles with Barrow – who City host on Saturday – added: “It is not just the size of the club, but the run of form they are on. It was a ‘no brainer’ to sign.

“I am out of contract at the end of the year and I have come here to do well for the team and if I make the right impression, you never know. Bradford might offer me a deal.

“I would have been stupid to turn a move down. I think there were a couple of other teams who were interested. But for me, there was one outcome.”

On a potential debut against Barrow, he continued: “Obviously, it is one of my old clubs.

“But I could not care who you put in front of me, as long as Bradford win.”

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