“Brilliant” - Gillingham boss Mark Bonner issues Bradford City warning | OneFootball

Gillingham boss Mark Bonner admits Bradford City forward Andy Cook is a major threat

Gillingham boss Mark Bonner has issued a warning about "brilliant" Bradford City striker Andy Cook ahead of this weekend's clash.

A full programme of EFL fixtures returns after the international break, which is certain to provide plenty of excitement across the Championship, League One and League Two. One of the most eye-catching fixtures this Saturday is brought to us by the fourth tier as Bradford City host fellow top-seven side Gillingham.

Both the Bantams and the Gills currently hold play-off spots and are within touching distance of the automatic promotion places too, so Saturday's match-up has all the ingredients for an early-season thriller in West Yorkshire.

However, the hosts could be seen as favourites to win this fixture, due to the fact that they have won both of their last games while also losing just one of their last five, whereas the Kent outfit have endured three consecutive defeats.

The Bantams boast one of the best attacks in League Two, having scored 16 goals in 11 games, while the Gills have a mean defence, and have conceded just seven goals in 11 matches.

Bradford's biggest threat is striker Andy Cook, who has scored an impressive seven goals in the fourth tier this season, and has caught the eye of Bonner.

Bonner examines Cook threat

The Gills manager told Kent Online: "Andy Cook has been brilliant in the box and got off to a great start in his goalscoring this season.

"They've got some good experience in their team as well, some good signs about them, good experience, good power.

"I think it makes for a really good game.

"He's just excellent on crosses, so you have to try and stop the supply to him and to try and get control of him in the box.

"Even when you get control of him, a goal he scored against Newport which was on Sky on a Monday night a couple of weeks ago, he holds everybody off and scores a header that's from behind him, to loop it over in the top corner, so even under contact he's difficult.

"He's certainly started the season flying and if you're a striker now and you're sitting on the seven goals he's got you're fairly happy.

"We'll have to defend really well against him."

Cook boasts a good record against the Gills

Cook is on prolific form, having scored three goals in his last two games, courtesy of a brace during a 2-0 away win at Tranmere Rovers last Saturday, as well as a goal during a 3-1 triumph over Newport County.

It is no wonder, therefore, that Gills boss Bonner has singled out the 34-year-old as the Bantams' major goalscoring threat, who also scored 17 goals in League Two last term.

But Bonner will not be the only figure associated with the Kent side who is wary of Cook's threat, due to the fact that the former Walsall man has managed seven goals in six meetings with the Gills, as per Transfermarkt.

The striker has been on target for the Bantams against Gillingham four times in their last four meetings, so the Priestfield Stadium faithful will simply be sick of the sight of him.

But as mentioned by Bonner, the Gills defence have a tough task on their hands keeping an in-form Cook quiet on Saturday afternoon, and could be in for a long day at the office.