COOK ON ICE FOR ENGLAND
EDDIE HOWE has admitted that he is trying to keep Lewis Cook fresh for a World Cup campaign with England.
The Bournemouth midfielder was not even in the country as his teammates finished the season with a victory at Europa League-bound Burnley.
Cook is in the frame to make Gareth Southgate’s final 23 for Russia when it is announced on Wednesday, having made his international debut as a substitute against Italy in March.
Howe insists he has no idea about Southgate’s thinking – but does not want to risk Cook burning out next season if he does make the cut.
Asked if that was the reason for leaving out his talented playmaker, the Bournemouth boss said: “It was. It was very much. He’s had a lot of games and a lot of exposure, and a lot of pressure placed on him.
“We just wanted Lewis to be free of that for a little bit longer, so we sent him abroad just to make sure he doesn’t suffer from burnout in the later stages of next season.
“We only want the best for our players, so we’ll be delighted for anybody involved in their countries for this World Cup.” Without Cook’s influence, Bournemouth had the better of the play against a Burnley side in joyous mood after defying the odds to secure their first European campaign since 1967.
Chris Wood deflected in Ashley Westwood’s shot to give the Clarets a half-time lead. But Cherries turned it around with two goals in the final 16 minutes.
Josh King (below, giving Charlie Daniels a lift) steered in an equaliser, seconds after Burnley keeper Nick Pope had denied Jermain Defoe.
Then a horrendous slip by Kevin Long allowed Defoe to stride through and set up Callum Wilson for a last-gasp winner.
Howe believes Bournemouth – who have secured a fourth successive Premier League season – should look to follow Burnley’s example.
He said: “Burnley have shown what can be done. They have been at a high level consistently.
“We want to maximise our potential. Where that ceiling is, who knows?
“But we will give everything we can to try to improve year on year.”
Turf Moor boss Sean Dyche says his players will not spend too much time celebrating – and that the scale of their achievement might not really sink in for the best part of a generation.
Dyche said: “I think because it’s fresh, we’re all still moving forward. When I got here, people were reflecting on the teams of 10 or 15 years before.
“So this period, whenever it ends for me, will probably be spoken about in 15 or 20 years’ time, and then enjoyed in a different way, with the nostalgia that comes with that.”