England cannot keep overlooking Wilson and Cook, claims Howe

Eddie Howe believes it will be difficult for Gareth Southgate to omit Lewis Cook and Callum Wilson from his next England squad should the Bournemouth players continue the form they showed in the club’s record Premier League away win at Watford.

Wilson scored one and had a hand in two others. Cook, the former England Under-20s captain, impressed in midfield alongside Bournemouth’s record signing Jefferson Lerma and Howe asked: “What else can they do? It’s the only thing they can do – consistently perform well and the rest will take care of itself.”

Wilson’s opposite number in the Watford side, Troy Deeney, recently referenced the Bournemouth striker in the context of his strong criticism of Southgate overlooking players from less-fancied sides.

Deeney had little opportunity to press his own claims as Watford capitulated in the first half, but Howe believes that both Wilson and Cook have the qualities required to contribute on the international stage. “I don’t see a problem with anything in their game – it should all be suited to the England set-up,” he said.

Howe added that he has “had conversations [with Southgate], but I wouldn’t say it would be a regular conversation”.

David Brooks’s pathway to the Wales squad has been far smoother. The 21-year-old scored for the second game in succession and was a constant menace to Jose Holebas, who could only resort to kicking him before Howe withdrew his young winger. “I’ve seen a player who loves his football, who’s focused on his work,” said Howe of the former Manchester City academy player. “He’s not really about anything other than the training and the game.”

Brooks will have the opportunity to seek advice from Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale, players of a similar profile, when he joins the party to take on Spain and the Republic of Ireland, though Howe has no worries about Brooks suffering from premature delusions of grandeur. “The biggest compliment I can give him is that he’s not been fazed at all and I think the future’s very bright.”

Howe is not given to hyperbole and even refused to lift his self-imposed ban on watching Match of the Day. He laughed: “I do remember saying that. I don’t need anybody else to tell me about my teams.”