LEWIS Cook says he considers his first season with Cherries a success, insisting he is a "better player" than when he arrived from Leeds last summer.

The 20-year-old spent large chunks of the campaign on the sidelines, owing to a combination of injury and the glut of midfielders blocking his route into the team.

But he has started Cherries' past three games and quickly established himself as a fans' favourite.

Cook told the Daily Echo: "I think it has been a good first year for me. Even when I was not playing, I learned a lot. I have become a better player because of the manager and the lads here.

"And getting games at the end of the season was helpful. I really appreciated it. We have had a great run and it has made it a good season for me."

Cook has now linked up with England under-20s ahead of the World Cup but he signed off his club campaign in style, setting up Junior Stanislas's goal in Saturday's victory over Burnley with a wonderful, raking pass.

"It was a great atmosphere at the weekend and I was delighted we got the win for the fans," said Cook. "I saw Junior's run and luckily enough my pass got to him... then it was a brilliant finish.

"It is always great when the fans take to you, especially when you are young. And earlier in the season, when I was out of the side, they were great for the club and all the players. That really spurred us on."