Billericay Town midfielder Jacob Cook will continue playing through pain barrier despite dislocated jaw

Cook dislocated his jaw in the defeat to Dartford last month but, just 14 days later, featured in Town’s 1-1 draw with Chelmsford City.

The combative midfielder is in line to start in the local derby with Concord Rangers today and Cook stresses the team will always come first.

“I dislocated my jaw in the Dartford game,” said Cook, who joined from Wealdstone in November.

“Only six minutes had been played when I was slung to the floor and it popped out of place.

“Despite being in agony and unable to speak, I played on.

“We were 2-0 down at half-time and I wouldn’t let myself come off because I wanted to help the team get back into the game, but I knew I had to come off and go to hospital when I started to lose my vision after an hour.

“I was supposed to be completely away from football for two weeks but I stopped taking the drugs the hospital gave me in time so that I could be involved against Chelmsford.

“Whenever I am called upon, I will play.”

Due his dislocated jaw, Cook was forced to watch Billericay’s 4-1 Boxing Day defeat to Concord from the sidelines.

The two sides will meet again at New Lodge today, with both sides looking to get 2020 off to the perfect start.

While the hosts are searching for their first National League South victory since Cook made his debut at Dulwich Hamlet in November, Concord will be making the short journey having ended the decade with five triumphs on the bounce.

And Cook admits 15th-placed Billericay will be looking for revenge after being beaten by the Beach Boys during the festive period.

“We are, 100 per cent, going into the game looking for revenge,” added Cook.

“I think we owe them one and there was already a reaction from the players in the draw against Chelmsford at the weekend.

“It’s a massive game and it’s up to us to take it to them.

“There will be a bit more spice because of it being a derby but we need to make sure we pick up three points.”