Howe believes Cook can play himself back into England contention

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has backed midfielder Lewis Cook to recapture top form and put himself in contention for another opportunity with England after his return from injury.

Cook made a welcome return from a serious knee injury with a first appearance since December 2018 in the 3-1 win over Everton.

Before suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee, the 22-year-old had been in the picture for the senior squad, having earned a first cap in the friendly against Italy at Wembley.

Howe sees no reason why the midfielder should not set himself the target of again forcing his way into Gareth Southgate’s plans.

“Lewis is a very important player, someone we really like as a player and a person all the way through his rehab. From this injury he was very focused and driven to get back to his very best,” the Bournemouth manager said.

“When you see someone with that mindset, you only want good for them and Sunday was a really nice moment for him. A lot of hard work went into that performance.

“He has come back in really good shape and I was delighted for him.”

Howe told a press conference: “Before injury he was right in amongst it (with the England squad) and was doing very well for us.

“He is a big player for us and also I know very highly rated by England, with what he has achieved with them at the youth age groups, captaining (under-20) World Cup winning team (in 2017).

“He is very highly thought of, so if he gets a good run of form and stays fit, then I think he has got every chance (of an England recall ahead of Euro 2020).”

Bournemouth head to Southampton on Friday night and would move up into the top three with a victory.

Howe wants his players fully focused on delivering the required result against their south-coast neighbours.

“From our perspective we had a great start to the season last year and we want to build that momentum. We need to back the Everton win up against Southampton,” said Howe, who reported no fresh injury concerns.

“The more games we have (against Southampton), the more rivalries will increase.

“We have had some really good battles in the Premier League against Southampton, some successes, some disappointments, but that all adds to make the game what it is.

“We haven’t won a game yet at Southampton in the Premier League and we are desperate to do that as soon as we can.”

Howe added: “If we can build that (rivalry) in a positive way, then I am certainly for it.

“We are aware this game holds extra importance for our supporters, and everybody locally, so that has its own responsibility.

“But I think to say you are more motivated for one game than any another is wrong because for me you need to be at your best levels every week, that is certainly my mindset.”

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.

Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report