Bradford City captain on Andy Cook threat against Carlisle United

And Richie Smallwood believes free-scoring Andy Cook will get “plenty” of chances to increase his impressive tally against the Blues.

Former Carlisle youth team product Cook has netted 31 times in 50 appearances this season.

Despite being far and away the fourth tier’s top scorer, he recently missed out on the League Two player of the season award to Northampton Town’s Sam Hoskins.

Cook’s former club Carlisle are in a select group to have kept the 32-year-old at bay in both their meetings in the league season.

But midfielder Smallwood says the striker is going to play a key part in their bid to overcome United in the semi-final, which gets under way with the first leg at Valley Parade on Sunday night.

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“Andy has been unbelievable this season,” said Smallwood, “by far the best player in the league.

Andy Cook, right, catches up with United's Geoff Haugh before the sides drew 0-0 at Valley Parade in March (Image: Richard Parkes)

“I think he’s proven that with his contribution with both goals and assists.

“He didn’t quite get the recognition at the [EFL] awards but without him, we wouldn’t be sat in this position now.

“We’ve got a lot to thank him for and we’ve got to keep trying to help him by contributing more and hopefully help us go to Wembley.

“I’m sure he’ll get plenty of opportunities in the next couple of games to add to his tally.”

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Smallwood claimed it was “a bit unfair” that Cook was snubbed for the player of the season award, despite Hoskins’ own impressive efforts in helping Northampton to promotion.

“You’ve only got to look at the stats, his performances and what he has done for the team this season,” he added.

“We were still fighting for promotion at that point so there was nothing to suggest why he shouldn’t have won that award.

Cook pictured during his time as a youth team player at Carlisle United (Image: News & Star)

“I don’t know who votes for it. It doesn’t matter now, he’s certainly put it behind him and carried on his good form into the last few games of the season.”

Cook has yet to score in any of his meetings against Carlisle.

The frontman made his first emergence in the professional game at Brunton Park when he joined United’s youth team from the Durham schoolboys scene.

He was prolific for the Blues’ under-18s under Eric Kinder and earned a professional deal but did not break into Greg Abbott’s first team in League One.

He built his career elsewhere with spells at Barrow, Grimsby Town, Tranmere Rovers, Walsall and Mansfield Town.

For Bradford he has 43 goals in 92 appearances since 2021.