LEWIS Cook has set his sights on becoming a Cherries linchpin after some tutoring from Jack Wilshere helped him seize his starting opportunity in emphatic style.

Cook has been something of a revelation since winning a Cherries midfield berth, and provided another glimpse of his rare talent with a glorious pass to create Junior Stanislas's goal against Burnley on Saturday.

As such, the 20-year-old confessed that choosing to miss next Sunday's game against Leicester in favour of travelling to the under-20s World Cup was a "hard decision".

But Cook, who admits he aims to emulate former Cherries loanee Wilshere, is promising to give everything he has to win a regular place next season.

Asked how much he had learned from Wilshere, Cook said: "Loads, Jack is a quality player and a really good lad. Watching him in training, and in matches, really helped my game – and all the other centre-midfielder’s games.

"He’s great with the ball, great technically and someone you look up to and want to try to emulate. It was good to have him here and I’m thankful he was.

"We had lots of chats and I’d like to say he’s a similar player to me. He has lots of technical ability and I want to be similar to him, if I can get there.

"He showed me how he plays, I enjoyed it and learned a lot. Jack is a quality player and every time he played for Bournemouth he showed how good he was."

Cook started Cherries' opening match of the campaign, against Manchester United, before dropping out of the side. He was restored to his team's engine room for last month's victory over Sunderland, before dazzling against Stoke and then delivering another terrific turn to help his side beat Burnley.

The former Leeds player now heads for South Korea, where he will skipper England under-20s as they target global success.

"It was a hard decision; really hard to weigh up," said Cook. "The Premier League is the best league in the world – and it is the World Cup.

"Ultimately, it was a collective decision. I had a few chats with the gaffer and with the England manager (Paul Simpson) and we all decided it would be best for me to play in the tournament.

"The manager here was happy for me to go. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"I’m not playing down the Premier League at all, it is a great achievement for me to be in it and I want to play every game I can.

"But I decided to go and try to win the trophy. It is the World Cup, it is what everyone dreams of. I am looking forward to it.

"I think I have made my mark when I have been in the team, so, hopefully, I can come back after the World Cup, try my hardest in pre-season and we will see what happens next."