CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe backed Lewis Cook to stay grounded following his England call-up – and urged the midfielder to take a potential World Cup journey 'step by step'.

Cook was yesterday named in the Three Lions set-up for friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy, key games in England's preparations for Russia this summer.

York-born Cook had been drafted in by national boss Gareth Southgate for the friendly against Brazil in November but did not play in the 0-0 stalemate at Wembley Stadium.

And this time, the uncapped 21-year-old will hope to become the first serving Cherries player to represent the senior England side.

Howe said: "I don't see getting carried away being a problem for him. Maybe if you were dealing with a different type of character or mentality, it would be a concern but Lewis is very level-headed and controlled.

"He doesn't get carried away by anything. He is focused on his football, which is one of the best assets to have."

Asked if Cook was good enough to start England's first game of the World Cup against Tunisia, Howe said: "I don't want to put that pressure on him, let's just see how he goes in the next few weeks.

"All he can do is take it step by step and the rest will be decided by other people."

Cook was signed by Cherries from Leeds United for a fee understood to be around £7million in July 2016, the midfield ace penning a four-year deal.

This season has been a breakthrough for the youngster, who off the back of Under-20 World Cup success has made 22 Premier League appearances since his first start of the campaign at the end of September.

Cook has been linked with a big-money move to big guns Liverpool, although he affirmed his commitment to Cherries in an interview with the Daily Echo this week.

Reflecting further on Cook's call-up, Howe said: "I'm very pleased for him and his family. I know he was with the squad last time but there is a different feel about it this time, being named officially in the squad.

"He has improved greatly and I'm pleased his performances have got the recognition they deserve.

"We signed him and then there was a process of working with him behind the scenes and Lewis had to stay with the project because it's very easy to want an instant platform to show what you can do. But he has reaped the rewards.

"He's one of the last players off the training pitch. We have to tell him to go in. He's one of those players who always wants to do more, which is the type of player I love.

"I love going on a journey with a player and saying 'let's see where we can take your game'.

"But you need the player to want to do it in the first place and there's no edge to Lewis, he just wants to become the best player he can be."