Linfield star looking to continue fine form after putting 'difficult injury' behind him

The former Oxford United star had scored 13 goals across competitions prior to Christmas last term before suffering an injury against rivals Glentoran on Boxing Day and was only able to start in seven league matches from January onwards.

Cooper has started this campaign on fire, netting three times in as many matches having followed up his weekend strike in victory over Dungannon Swifts by adding a further brace and an assist as David Healy’s side defeated Glenavon 3-0 at Mourneview Park on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old is undoubtedly one of the Irish League’s brightest talents – he has scored 25 goals in 66 league outings since returning from England – and will hope to have an impact once again on Saturday when Loughgall visit Windsor Park.

"It was a difficult injury because I could run and felt like I could get involved, but when it came to the game I was sore and I tried to force myself back early which didn't help,” he told the club’s media channel. “It was difficult getting back, but I've started pre-season fit, raring to go and hopefully I can stay fit this season.

"After the way it went last season, you come back raring to go and hungry to put some wrongs right and hopefully we can do that. As an attacking player it's always good to score early in the season to get you up and running.

"To be honest, being involved in the goals is important but it's more important to win games of football and I know it's an old cliche, but it doesn't matter who scores. As long as we win games of football we are happy."

Linfield finished five points behind champions Larne in the Gibson Cup race last season and Cooper knows there’s no margin for error if they want to regain the league title.

"Every game is important, which you can see from last year,” he added. “Sometimes games get away from you and they can come back to bite you which they did last year, so we know we need to improve on last year and need to continue the good start."