Bournemouth’s Cook chases Under-20 World Cup glory

Midfielder Lewis Cook admits it was with a heavy heart he decided to miss Bournemouth’s last game of the season – but he is determined to get his hands on silverware this summer.

Cook switched Yorkshire for the south coast last summer, leaving boyhood club Leeds United to join Premier League outfit Bournemouth.

(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

He started the opening match of the campaign against Manchester United before dropping out of the side and only winning a regular place back last month.

But the form has coming flowing back as he helped set up Junior Stanislas’s goal in the Cherries victory over Burnley.

The 20-year-old will however miss next Sunday’s game against Leicester in favour to travelling to the Under-20s World Cup with England where he will be skipper – and he admitted it had been a tricky situation he had found himself in.

“It was a hard decision; really hard to weigh up,” said Cook. “The Premier League is the best league in the world – and it is the World Cup.

“Ultimately, it was a collective decision. I had a few chats with the gaffer and with the England manager (Paul Simpson) and we all decided it would be best for me to play in the tournament.

“The manager here was happy for me to go. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I’m not playing down the Premier League at all, it is a great achievement for me to be in it and I want to play every game I can.

“But I decided to go and try to win the trophy. It is the World Cup, it is what everyone dreams of. I am looking forward to it.

“I think I have made my mark when I have been in the team, so, hopefully, I can come back after the World Cup, try my hardest in pre-season and we will see what happens next.”