4:44pm Wednesday 25th July 2007
By Dave Craven
Some may say it would be foolish to bring Matt Cook back for such a high-profile match but the eager Bull is adamant he is ready to bolster his side's push for Wembley.
He feels like he's been waiting for ever.
The young second-rower hasn't featured since the fifth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup when Bradford defeated Wakefield at Belle Vue on May 13.
He went in for a wrist operation the following day and has spent the last nine weeks a frustrated spectator.
However, Cook has now been back in full training a while and, if selected, is available to return for the cracking semi-final against St Helens on Saturday lunchtime.
"I'd give anything to be in this game," admitted the 20-year-old, who had just established himself as a regular in Steve McNamara's squad with some impressive displays before injury struck.
He is back ahead of schedule and desperate to pick up where he left off.
"I've worked real hard to get ready for it and now it's whether Steve thinks I'm ready to go straight back in and do a better job at this moment in time than whoever may miss out," he added.
"Fingers crossed I'll get the nod but we'll just have to wait and see."
Cook proudly watched on as his Bulls team-mates defeated treble winners St Helens amid the torrential rain at Grattan Stadium a fortnight ago.
It was a rare success over the side widely deemed the best in England, maybe even the world.
Although the consensus is that Super League victory won't have any bearing on Saturday's all-or-nothing clash, the enthusiastic England forward reckons it can't be ignored.
"It could do some psychological damage both ways," he continued.
"For us, it gives us a lot more confidence. Recently we've never really had a good spell against Saints and if you keep losing against a team like that it starts to build up your self-doubt automatically, even if you don't think about it.
"But, by us winning against them it will have boosted our morale and tell us they're not unbeatable.
"Vice versa, they'll have learned to give us a bit more respect. Saints will be laying down the gauntlet and so will we. I'm sure it will be a great game."
Their opponents may be cup holders, World Club champions and current Super League kings but the Bulls are still in the running for a double of their own this season, handily placed to push on for Old Trafford as well.
Cook said: "I've heard a lot of fans would prefer to get to the Challenge Cup final as it's been quite a few years since Bradford have been there and they'd trade a Grand Final in for that.
"That might be the case for one or two older first-team players who have already won Grand Finals and maybe want a Challenge Cup.
"Either final would be great but preferably both. They're both in reach this year with Bradford. I haven't really got a preference and desire them both just as much.
"Our initial priority is thinking about getting to Wembley though as that's what we're dealing with this week."
Cook was just 12 years old the last time a final was played at the famous venue when current team-mates Iestyn Harris, Marcus St Hilaire and Terry Newton helped Leeds Rhinos defeat London Broncos.
It was two years previously when the Bulls were last there, beaten by Saints for a second successive year.
The former dual-code schoolboy international admitted: "I've never been to a Wembley final and can hardly recall watching one either.
"I was probably still in my rugby union days when Bradford were last there but I've seen how big the occasion is for the Grand Final and heard a lot of fans talking about how big this is - even when it's been at Cardiff.
"It's extra exciting this year as it is the first final back at Wembley and this opportunity will never come again.
"It will never be the first one at the new stadium again and, for me, the thought of getting there and, if selected, be in the side that runs out there, is something I'd cherish for the rest of my life.
"If selected I'd be giving it 100 per cent."
Cook's chances of quickly regaining his spot have been boosted by the unfortunate injury to Jamie Langley, his fellow back-rower who has been ruled out for the rest of the season following a similar wrist operation on Monday.
"It's a massive blow for the club and a weird coincidence that when I'm fit, he ends up having an operation having done the same as me," Cook admitted.
"But I'd sooner have Jamie Langley fully fit and me having to fight like Hell even more to get in the team rather than him being out like this and me having a slightly better chance of getting back in.
"It's swings and roundabouts though. I've had my share of injuries, just like Langers. I know he'll be gutted now but hopefully he'll keep his chin up and we'll look forward to seeing him back next year."
Regardless of whether he makes the cut when McNamara names his side at training tomorrow, Cook is urging the Bulls fans to get behind their team at the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday.
"It'd be great if the fans could turn up in numbers," he said. "The game's in Yorkshire and there's always a point in a game where things aren't going our way.
"If you can hear the Bradford fans cheering it really does help you set things right. I'm a firm believer they can help influence a performance."
The big question McNamara now has to answer is Cook ready to do likewise?
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