RED-HOT COOK CAN REACH THE TOP

EDDIE HOWE believes Lewis Cook can go right to the top after starring as Bournemouth battled for a deserved point.

The highly rated 20-year-old has had to be patient since a £7million move from Leeds United last year, but was handed a first Premier League start and impressed. ‘The sky’s the limit,’ manager Howe said. ‘More displays like that and he’s only going to go one way.

‘He does things on the pitch that surprise you. He’s got an eye for a pass that’s slightly different to the other players we have. He’s got a creative eye. He can play a defence-splitting pass, create chances from nothing, and has a lovely way that he drives the ball through midfield.’

Cook told Sportsmail after Bournemouth’s pre-season friendly against Napoli that he harbours England ambitions. Last season he did not let the loan signing of Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who played ahead of him, get him down. This season Andrew Surman, Harry Arter and Dan Gosling have been picked instead of Cook in central midfield, but with the latter two struggling with injuries, the youngster was given his chance.

‘A lot of players in his position would have been disappointed, or at times stopped learning, developing, because they don’t see a pathway for them to get into the team,’ Howe said.

‘Lewis is not that type. He’s a hard worker, he’s diligent. He wants to get to the very top, and displayed the attitude that will help get him there.’