CHERRIES defender Steve Cook admitted the demands of fatherhood had proved "a shock to the system" but revealed how he had embraced his paternal role.

The 24-year-old's fiancée Laura gave birth to son Frey Anthony at the beginning of November, which coincided with Cook's spell on the sidelines.

And the former Brighton centre-half admitted that he now expected little time to himself after fatherly duties were added to the rigours of Premier League football.

Cook, a bargain £170,000 signing from the Seagulls in January 2012, told the Daily Echo: "It's been nice but very tough. I don't think anyone can prepare you for what comes along.

"It's definitely a shock to the system for me. I like going home and having a bit of alone time and doing nothing, and now I don't think I'm going to get that again.

"But don't get me wrong, it's very nice and I do love it. It's just a lot harder than I thought it was going to be!

"I look forward to getting home and seeing them both but it's nice to get a bit of time away as well.

"My fiancée has been really understanding – I've been in the spare room a lot of the time due to my Bournemouth commitments."