LEWIS Cook says he is fulfilling a "dream" by playing in the Premier League and the midfielder is beginning to feel like he belongs at the elite end of the English game.

Cook played 81 minutes of Cherries' opening match of the campaign against Manchester United before experiencing an extended wait for his next starting opportunity – at Sunderland last week.

He was outstanding in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Stoke and subsequently insisted he had never doubted his capacity to thrive at the top level.

Asked by the Daily Echo if he felt at home in a Premier League midfield, Cook said: "I think so. You want to string together as many games as you can and I feel like I’m doing alright.

"It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League, so whatever happens for me I will take it. It has been tough but I have really enjoyed it.

"There is a lot of passion in the games. It is physically very hard and there is a lot of running to do. Mentally, you always have to be thinking about where you need to be on the pitch.

"I felt like I got on the ball and trusted in my ability against Stoke. It was great to take stuff I have learned in training onto the pitch."

Cook's campaign was disrupted when he injured an ankle playing for England's under-20s against Germany last October.

But the former Leeds player, who moved to Dean Court in a £7million deal last summer, never lost faith in his ability during his spell on the comeback trail.

He initially returned to the team as a substitute against Tottenham last month, then appeared from the bench again in the victory over Middlesbrough, before delivering a mature display when he got his chance from the start at Sunderland.

And the 20-year-old excelled in front of his own fans against Stoke, most tellingly playing key passes in the moves that led to both of Cherries' goals.

Cook will now be hoping to sign off his club season in style, by retaining his starting spot and continuing his fine form when Cherries host Burnley on Saturday.

Following the encounter with Sean Dyche's team he will be jetting off to South Korea to represent England under-20s at the World Cup.

"I never doubted myself," continued Cook. "You have to be confident in your ability – you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t good enough.

"It was great to be involved in the goals against Stoke. I know we didn’t get the win but we showed an enormous amount of character to come back into the game twice.

"We actually thought we could have nicked the win but we will take our point and regroup.

"You have to be confident and do your best. And enjoy it, because you’re playing in the Premier League and it won’t get much better than that."