LEWIS Cook says he can crown a "great" season for Cherries by seizing his "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to captain England to a World Cup final.

Midfielder Cook leads his country's under-20 team in today's semi-final against Italy (12pm) having taken his terrific club form into the tournament in South Korea.

The 20-year-old scored with a sublime strike against Guinea in the group phase and supplied an incisive pass for Dominic Solanke to net the decisive goal against Mexico in Monday's quarter-final.

And Cook insists he will return from the Far East a better player than the one that left these shores last month.

Speaking to the Daily Echo ahead of the clash with Italy he said: "This will be our toughest test. It'll be the biggest game of our lives so far, so we have to give it everything we've got.

"It’s the World Cup and it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"We've faced teams from different cultures and with different styles of play. You're always learning new things and I think I'll return to Bournemouth a better player.

"Everyone has experienced a lot and we've all built our knowledge of the game. Going back to your club after playing in a World Cup is a massive thing.

"I'll never forget it and, mentally, it'll be a good thing. I'll cherish being part of this."

Cook joined Cherries from Leeds last summer but had to wait until the season's closing stages to sample regular top-flight action.

He was outstanding against Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley and claimed that run of matches enabled him to hit the ground running in Korea.

Furthermore, Cook is thankful boss Eddie Howe allowed him to miss the last-day trip to Leicester to link up with the Three Lions.

"I'm very happy and grateful that happened and, hopefully, I can pay the manager back," said Cook.

"There's a lot of pressure playing in the Premier League and that experience has helped me here in Korea.

"It's something that can help the other players as well, and it's also great to chip in with goals and assists.

"The interest in us has grown a lot since the start of the tournament. It's great for the lads to get some recognition for what we're doing and how hard we're working."

With the winners of England's meeting with Italy poised to play either Uruguay or Venezuela in Sunday's final, Cook stands on the brink of history.

Darren Caskey was the last player to skipper an England side in the semi-finals of this competition, when the Young Lions lost to Ghana in 1993.

"I haven’t thought about it like that," said Cook. "I've just thought about the team winning.

"For the lads – all your mates – winning the World Cup would be a massive thing. Playing in a World Cup is a dream.

"I think it's great for Bournemouth. We had a great season and it would be brilliant for me to top it off by getting to a World Cup final."