DEFENDER Steve Cook hailed the talent of Cherries team-mate Junior Stanislas and added: “We need to keep him fit.”

Winger Stanislas has been set back by hamstring, calf and knee problems this season, restricting him to just two starts and six appearances in the Premier League.

The former Burnley ace made his first top-flight start since December, when he played 68 minutes against Liverpool in a 2-1 defeat earlier this month.

That game was Cherries’ last before the campaign was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cook, who himself picked up a hamstring injury in that game, told the Daily Echo: “We know how good a player Junior is and the ability he’s got.

“I think June came off against Liverpool to keep him fresh.

“June has got all the ability in the world, we need to keep him fit, he can be a real match-winner for us - great character around the lads and that’s what we need.”

Stanislas, who arrived at Cherries in 2014, has played 121 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 23 times.