CHERRIES midfielder Lewis Cook has retained his place in the England squad for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.

Cook is one of four uncapped players in the squad, the others being Burnley duo James Tarkowski and Nick Pope and Swansea City's Alfie Mawson.

The 21-year-old will hope to become the first serving Cherries player to represent the senior England side.

The Three Lions face the Netherlands in Amsterdam a week tomorrow before taking on Italy at Wembley Stadium four days later.

Cook earned his maiden senior call-up in November, some five months after captaining England under-20s to World Cup glory in South Korea.

The York-born ace was an unused substitute as Gareth Southgate's side shared a 0-0 draw with Brazil at Wembley Stadium.

Cook has played in all of England's age group sides from under-16s upwards.

There is no place in Southgate's squad for Cherries striker Jermain Defoe, who was omitted for friendly fixtures against Germany and Brazil.

The 35-year-old's most recent England appearance came when he featured as a late substitute in a World Cup qualifier against Scotland in June last year.

Former Tottenham star Defoe has endured an injury-troubled campaign, scoring three goals for Cherries since joining from Sunderland.

England face Nigeria and Costa Rica in June, their final friendlies before heading to the World Cup in Russia.