Andy Cook was "over the moon" after netting a hat-trick in yesterday's 4-1 victory over Newport County at Rodney Parade.
City’s No.9 returned to Mark Hughes' frontline after missing the last five games with injury, and described the difficulty in watching on from afar, but was happy to contribute to what he described as a “spectacular” performance in South Wales.
“I am buzzing and over the moon with the win,” he said.
“We deserved what we got out of the game. Each and every one of us did spectacularly today.
“The goal was to come down here and get the three points and we did that. We should all be proud of ourselves.
“It can be so frustrating when you are sat on the sidelines - you just want to help.
“It is hard being around them on the training ground and seeing them before the match, and not being able to contribute to the game.
“Thankfully, the gaffer trusted me and I repaid him.”
Last season’s top goalscorer revealed his relief in opening his account for this campaign, and explained the confidence and hunger he got from scoring the first in Newport - to help him take the matchball and the three points back to West Yorkshire.
With eyes on a Carabao Cup Round Three tie against Middlesbrough on Tuesday - a side who Cook scored another hat-trick against in pre-season - the 32-year-old wants to take positives and confidence in order to progress to the fourth round.
Cook confessed: “The first goal was a relief, to be fair!
“It was a frustrating start to the season, with missing a few clear-cut chances and the penalty at Stockport too, but when the ball hit the back of the net, I was relieved.
“Once it went in, I felt all the confidence come back to me. I got in the right places and found the back of the net.
“I got my two goals early on and I thought I would like that hat-trick!
“The more the game went on, I knew I was going to get it.
“Luckily, Rides put the ball in the box and I found the bottom corner.
“The confidence we can all take from that is massive.
“Hopefully, we can take the positives and do what we plan to do on Tuesday, which is to progress in the cup.”
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