CHARLIE Wyke revealed he woke up dreaming of scoring goals before netting his first City hat-trick.

Hitman Wyke had gone eight appearances since he was last on target at Bury in April.

Yet he admitted he had a premonition that it was going to click for him against Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

After claiming the third treble of his career, he said: "I actually had a feeling when I woke up that I'd score a few goals.

"I've been staying in a different hotel for a few weeks but everything just felt good. I can't explain it."

It was Wyke's first Valley Parade start after recovering from a torn calf in Austria in July. His physical presence proved key as Stuart McCall's side won 3-1 with their most convincing display of the new season.

Wyke said: "It's been a frustrating few weeks for me. I had two months off before pre-season and then got injured after coming back for a week, so I've been off three months really.

"I think I play better when people are talking about me. Hearing people saying that they need you gives me a lot of confidence.

"I did enjoy myself but I had to come off in the last ten minutes with a bit of cramp in both ankles. But a few games will hopefully get me up to full match fitness and I'll be able to last the full 90."

Two of Wyke's goals came from Tony McMahon corners. The right back is delighted to see his team-mate back – and not just for his own assist bonus.

"Charlie is huge for us, especially in terms of how the gaffer wants to play and the way we set up," said McMahon.

"At the start of the season, we missed him massively. That is no disrespect to Dom (Poleon) or Omari (Patrick) but when we get wide and whip balls in, it isn't their game to get on the end of headers.

"But for Charlie, that is his game. He is solid and makes us tick by holding the ball up and links the play."

James Hanson scored City's last hat-trick in April 2016. Wyke has now scored ten goals from 22 games since replacing him in a £250,000 move from Carlisle at the end of January.

McMahon said: "Nothing fazes him – he is just too thick to let it affect him! No, seriously, he just gets on with it.

"He works his socks off in training, constantly working on his finishing and heading. Everything clicked against Bristol Rovers.

"It wasn't just how he held the ball up but his running down the channels. He was a constant nuisance for defenders.

"If we go long to him, he never allows the defenders to have an easy header. If he doesn't win it first time, the other lads can get the second ball.

"That is what happened early on in the game. We got the ball up to him and the ball was falling for Lawsy (Nicky Law), Reevesy (Jake Reeves) and a couple of others.

"That allowed us to get some momentum as a team. It allowed us to push on and things fell into place. Charlie got the three goals and he will be buzzing for that."