JAMES Hanson is urging Andy Cook to stick with City - but admits he half-expects the likes of Wrexham to come knocking.

The Bantams are keen to keep Cook but will face a battle for League Two’s top marksman after his 31-goal season.

Hanson would not be surprised if his former Valley Parade boss Phil Parkinson was among those others potentially tracking Cook.

He said: “I don’t know why but I could see him going to Wrexham.

“Knowing Phil and the type of player he likes, it would be a statement signing for them to get League Two’s top goal-scorer along with Paul Mullin.

“To score more than 30 goals in a season is unbelievable. It’s an incredible achievement.

“I’d imagine Andy will have interest and maybe from League One as well.

“You probably couldn’t blame him if he took the chance. He’s at that stage of his career where if he gets a three-year deal on double the money you’re not going to argue.

“Hopefully Bradford can tie him down with a new deal. But obviously if they had got promotion, they would have been in a better position.”

Cook’s all-round game has made huge strides under Mark Hughes and Hanson believes that can be a influence in swaying his decision to pen a new deal.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

The 32-year-old, the division's golden boot winner with 28 goals, is also hugely popular with the Valley Parade fans.

Hanson added: “It’s a massive factor. You look at his career and he has scored goals wherever he’s gone but he’s never really stayed at a club for more than a couple of years.

“He’s always moved on and probably had six clubs in the last seven or eight years.

“You’d like to think that this is his home now. He’s got a great goal record, everyone loves him at Bradford, he knows what the manager wants from him and he’s doing it.

“It’s easy for me to say but if I was him, I’d definitely be staying at Bradford if the deal’s right.”

Cook has passed his half-century in goals for City since arriving on an initial loan from Mansfield in January 2021.

Hanson, who netted 91 times for his hometown club, said: “You look at his goal ratio for the club and it’s up there with Nahki (Wells) and probably Peter Thorne’s probably from when I played there.

“He’s obviously a confidence striker. Hopefully they can sort out a deal and he can keep scoring like he is.

“If he stays here and goes on to beat my record, then fair play good luck to him. But I did say to him that I only scored one penalty!”