STEVE Cook admits he is shocked the odds of Eddie Howe becoming England manager are not shorter.

Cherries boss Howe was installed as third-favourite by the bookmakers on Tuesday after Sam Allardyce was sacked following just one game in charge.

Howe slipped to fifth yesterday with Gareth Southgate, who has taken over on an interim basis, the favourite to assume the role full-time.

Steve Bruce, interviewed by the Football Association ahead of Allardyce’s appointment, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew were also in the mix.

Centre-half Cook says it is no surprise Howe has been linked with another top job but admits he does not expect his manager to leave Vitality Stadium soon.

Cook said: “It’s the pinnacle of jobs for an Englishman and shows how well he’s managing the club, pushing the players and improving everyone.

“It’s no surprise – the only surprise is he’s fourth-favourite. For me, he would improve the country’s team no end. Hopefully, he won’t yet but I’m sure he will one day.

“Nothing has really been mentioned among the lads but I don’t think anyone expects him to leave the club any time soon.

“Until that day comes, I don’t think it will get spoken about. There will be a lot of very disappointed people if he does.

“Eventually the day will come, but maybe not yet.”

At 38, Howe is the youngest of those thought to be leading the race for the hot seat. And Cook does not see Amersham-born Howe’s relative youth – in managerial terms – as a barrier.

Asked if Howe could perform the role despite his tender years, Cook said: “Why not? I don’t think there should be a limit on how early you have to be to get the job.

“They say about footballers that if you are good enough to play, you are old enough, and I don’t think that changes with a manager.

“He’s 38 and has a lot of success behind him already and I’m sure there will be a lot more to come.”

Allardyce was axed by the Football Association after making controversial comments while being secretly filmed by The Daily Telegraph.

Asked subsequently by reporters if England would be his last job in football, Allardyce said: “Who knows? We’ll wait and see.”

He added: “Unfortunately, it was an error of judgment on my behalf and I’ve paid the consequences. Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that.”