CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has credited Jack Wilshere with helping Lewis Cook break into the England squad.

Uncapped midfielder Cook has played his way into World Cup contention after being called up for friendlies against Holland and Italy.

Wilshere, who was also named in Gareth Southgate’s latest squad, played alongside Cook at Vitality Stadium last season during a loan spell from Arsenal.

The pair could both feature when England meet the Netherlands in the Amsterdam ArenA tomorrow (7.45pm).

Cherries manager Howe believes 21-year-old Cook learned plenty from the experience of working alongside Wilshere.

“Watching Jack was very beneficial for him,” said Howe.

“We had an incredible pool of central midfielders to pick from last season.

“I think they are very similar type players.

“There are parallels to draw between the two, they are both dynamic players, creative players and have an eye for a pass.”

Cook was a peripheral figure for Cherries last season following his £7million move from Leeds in the summer of 2016.

He made just six league appearances, with the likes of Wilshere keeping him sidelined, while he also had his fair share of injuries.

However, after captaining England to Under-20 World Cup glory, he has blossomed this season and would be the first Cherries player to represent England at senior level.

International football could potentially put him on the radars of bigger clubs, but Howe insists he has no concerns about his players being transfer targets.

“I don’t look at that as a negative,” said Howe, when asked if England recognition could prompt interest in Cook.

“I don’t think you can consume yourself worrying about things you can’t control.

“A lot of our players have admirers from other clubs, I see that as a positive.

“Ultimately, it will be up to us to decide what we do with our players.”

While Cook was selected for England duty, Cherries strikers Jermain Defoe and Callum Wilson were overlooked.

Defoe, who has won 57 caps, can have little argument at being left out following an injury-interrupted season in which he has managed just three goals, but Wilson does perhaps have reason to be disappointed.

He has registered seven league goals since overcoming a second serious knee problem and was touted as a potential attacking option for Southgate, particularly with star striker Harry Kane unavailable due to injury.

Howe has urged 26-year-old Wilson to focus on becoming prolific at club level and forget about international football for the time being.

“I’m sure what’s in Callum’s mind is to score goals for us. And if he scores goals for us and we win games then everyone benefits and of course his profile is raised,” said Howe.

“I think our players’ only focus should be on our next game and everything else beyond that takes care of itself.”