WING wizard Lee Cook admits the influence of York City coach Luther Blissett proved a decisive factor in his move north.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, Wood has signed a one-month loan deal from First Division Watford.

Cook worked under Blissett when the former England international striker was reserve team boss at Vicarage Road and admitted he jumped at the chance of renewing old acquaintances.

"Luther came down to Watford to watch a reserve team game last week and asked me after it if I would like to come up for a week's training and see how it goes," explained the 20-year-old.

"I met the boys last week and it's going well so far.

"Obviously, Luther was a big factor in my decision to come here. I know him very well and like him both as a coach and as a man."

A left-sided attacker, Cook's arrival at Bootham Crescent gives boss Terry Dolan scope for change.

But as well as bringing width to the City squad, Cook is hoping some top-class international influences can come to the fore.

After starting out with non-league Aylesbury United, the London-born youngster was snapped up by then Watford boss and former England chief Graham Taylor.

He made his debut towards the end of the 2001-02 season but ruptured his cruciate ligament in Watford's last game of the campaign, which was also Taylor's final match in charge of the Hornets.

He fought back to fitness midway through last season and also forced his way back into the first team reckoning at Watford, who were by now under the stewardship of Italian legend Gianluca Vialli.

Despite being only 20 and with only a handful of first-team appearances banked, Cook admits his grooming by Taylor, Blissett and Vialli cannot be underestimated.

"Everyone knows what Graham Taylor has done in the game, while for a forward player Vialli was just great to work under.

"You learn so much from working with people like that," he enthused.

Under new Hornets' boss Ray Lewington, Cook has failed to reclaim a first-team berth this season but the youngster bears no grudges and is simply looking forward to tasting first team football with City.

"I picked up a few niggling injuries in pre-season and I was off for couple of weeks then in for a few days but I didn't really get any pre-season games under my belt.

"He (Lewington)has picked his side and stuck with it and to be fair the boys are doing all right. But every player wants to be in the first team.

"Having been in the first team and then getting knocked down into the reserves is hard. It can be hard to motivate yourself.

"You really need to be in the first team and playing to really get into the swing of things.

"Coming here will hopefully let me do that."

Despite coming from a First Division club with the aim of first team football, Cook is taking nothing for granted.

"Hopefully, I can bring more options to the team, set-up some chances and score some goals.

"But the team here has also been doing well, so it won't be just a case of me strolling in and changing things.

"I just want to get into the team, get a few performances under my belt and then who knows what will happen."

Nor should it be taken for granted Cook will automatically be playing in his preferred position of left-wing.

Explained new boy Cook: "I played left-wing under Graham Taylor and Gianluca Vialli and I suppose that is my position.

"But I know they play with three strikers up front here so maybe I will play on the left of the three."

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, October 02, 2002