CHERRIES star Steve Cook has thrown down the gauntlet to his rivals and warned them he has no plans to abdicate his defensive throne.

Cook played every minute of every game last season as Cherries secured ninth place in the Premier League, the highest finishing position in club history.

He capped a memorable individual campaign by also winning the prestigious Daily Echo-Micky Cave supporters’ player-of-the-year award.

The 26-year-old has played a starring role in the club’s rise from the depths of League One – starting all but 10 games in four years in the Championship and Premier League.

The arrival of record signing Nathan Ake has significantly increased competition for places, with the £20m man joining Cook, Simon Francis, Tyrone Mings and Baily Cargill as the club’s five recognised central defenders.

But having started 138 of Cherries’ past 140 league games, Cook is adamant he will not be giving up his proud appearance record without a fight.

He told the Daily Echo: “I would say last season was my best so far but I am at an age where I can keep improving and am looking to do that.

“Under the manager, we have improved our league position every year and, if I want to keep playing in this team, I need to improve as well.

“I feel I have the capability to do that and know I need to. We have an abundance of good defenders so competition for places is healthy and that is what you want.

“There are five of us fighting for two places so we will push each other and that will only improve every individual.

“I am more than happy to fight for my place and won’t give up my shirt up easily because I want to play every game again.”

Cook’s displays last season saw him linked with a possible England call-up, another reason why he is determined to continue on his upward curve.

He added: “I need to start pushing myself even more because I have aspirations I want to achieve and they go along with the club.

“There is a World Cup around the corner and I want to put myself in the best position possible to be in contention to play in that.

“I don’t know how close our players are to the England squad but I don’t think we should be too far off, especially after what we achieved last season.

“But that has gone now and it is up to us to put pressure on those players in the England squad and make sure we are ready to be in the mix because that is the ultimate goal.

“If we are playing well enough to be considered for England that would mean we were doing something right. Playing well for Bournemouth week in, week out would be the only way to do that.”