I’LL DUNK MY POOL PAL LEWIS

Cook hopes Cherries make a splash against holiday pal and Brighton star

STEVE COOK aims to leave his sun-lounger pal Lewis Dunk in the shade – and take the heat off Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.

Cook (left) and Dunk (below) are former team-mates at Brighton and recently holidayed together in Portugal. Cherries centre-back Cook – facing his old club in the Premier League for the first time – said: “I’ve known Lewis for years and spent time with him on holiday in the summer. “We were staying in the same place and both have young families. “It’s a strange one playing against him but it is not uncommon for players from other clubs to be friendly with each other. It’s enjoyable and you want to play well against your mates so I’ll be looking to get one over him.” Howe has come under scrutiny with Bournemouth losing their opening four league games despite spending big in the summer. Cook admits the dismal start adds extra spice to tonight’s South Coast showdown. He added: “This is the one fixture I looked for straight away and because of how the season has started it’s turned out even bigger. “When I signed for Bournemouth we were midtable in League One and Brighton were pushing for the Premier League even then. “We overtook them in that time and it took them a few more years than anticipated, so I didn’t imagine back then we would be playing them in the Premier League. “It will be a great game to play in and one we need to win. “We need everyone to be firing and hopefully once we have that first win we can kick on. We all want to win. That’s why we have made it to the Premier League, because we are winners.” Howe saw fellow basement dwellers Crystal Palace sack Frank de Boer this week but insists he does not feel any added pressure. He said: “Football is the most cut-throat industry but I’m always under pressure from myself. This club has had plenty of difficult moments and one result can turn things around.”