STEVE Cook has revealed how Tommy Elphick’s timely return has provided a major boost for Cherries by insisting: “He has got it all.”

Elphick and Cook were reunited at the heart of Cherries’ back four when the captain made his long-awaited comeback over the Easter weekend.

Sidelined by a knee injury since February 2, Elphick produced two faultless displays in Cherries’ back-to-back wins over Colchester and Scunthorpe.

Cook said he had looked to Elphick as a shining example from his time in the Brighton youth ranks while his club-mate was in the senior side.

And Cook, 21, believes the 25-year-old’s defensive and leadership qualities can prove hugely valuable as Cherries push for League One promotion.

Cook told the Daily Echo: “He is a natural leader, a very good defender and a very good footballer. He has got it all.

“He was struggling a bit fitness-wise on Monday but that was inevitable and it was always going to be the way.

“Overall, I think he is a very big player for us. You can tell the fans love him and we love him as a player and a person, so it was a big boost for us.”

Cook, who has made 34 appear ances this season, has emerged as an important player since Miles Addison was sidelined by a foot injury.

Discussing his partnership with Elphick, Cook said: “We have got a good understanding. It has clicked and we are very fortunate.

“He talks all game and I am still a young defender and he has been there and done it, so it is nice for me to have a player like that.

“He was first-team captain for a bit at Brighton. For me, as a 16 to 17-year-old coming through, that is what I looked for.

“He had a tough 14 months and has come back stronger. I think he is a much better player now.

“He saw what he had to do and has adapted really well and that is something that I look to. He is still only 25 and has won this league so you can’t ask for much more than that.”

Ahead of today’s home clash with Notts County (3pm), Cherries are in second spot, but rivals Brentford and Sheffield United have games in hand.

Cook added: “There are no easy games in this league but we are confident that we can win every game. When we had the five losses, we were thinking ‘when is the next win going to come’. Luckily, we have picked up at the right time of the season and are very confident looking at the games now.”