BOSS Eddie Howe is convinced Lewis Cook’s World Cup dream will not be harmed by Cherries’ recent indifferent displays.

England boss Gareth Southgate has until May 14 to give his provisional 35-man squad to FIFA and needs to whittle it down to 23 by June 4 – two days after their next friendly against Nigeria.

Midfielder Cook is in contention to be selected for the finals in Russia after winning his first senior cap during a friendly against Italy in March.

And although he has been part of a Cherries team which has lost its past three games in the Premier League, Howe says the team’s form should not count against him.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think Gareth will look at teams’ performances.

“His job is to identify the individuals to form a team so he will be looking at that and making his decision based on what he sees.

“We have just played three really tough games. Before then, we were on a really good unbeaten run so have to be careful we don’t over-react to what we have seen.

“I was critical of us against Southampton but, previous to that, I was pretty pleased with what I was seeing so I don’t think anything will hamper Lewis’s chances.”