CHERRIES midfielder Lewis Cook admitted he had needed to stay patient ahead of his first league appearance of the season.

Brought into Eddie Howe’s starting line-up following injuries to Harry Arter and Dan Gosling – the latter of whom made the bench – the 20-year-old put in a stellar display during the 0-0 draw with Leicester City at Vitality Stadium. And while he had been required to wait more than four months for an opportunity in the Premier League, the former Leeds United youngster insisted he had always been prepared to step in if needed.

He told the Daily Echo: “You have got to be ready. Everyone trains like they are going to play.

“You never know when you are going to get a chance so you have to be prepared for that.

“I was patient, kept learning and improving off the pitch and I thought I did all right on Saturday, I enjoyed it.

“Playing in the Premier League is the best thing, I have always wanted to do that since I was little. It’s nice to have people wanting you to play and wanting to see you but it’s up to the gaffer.

“When he thinks I am ready and able to play, I am ready.”

On his team’s display, Cook added: “I thought everyone played well and we can take that into the next game.”