STEVE Cook insists pre-season is a “huge platform” for Cherries ahead of their fifth campaign in the Premier League.

Cherries this week released details of their 12-day training camp in Spain, where they will play two friendlies against Girona and an as yet unnamed opponent.

On their return to England, Eddie Howe’s charges are set to travel to West Brom and Brentford before home fixtures against Lazio and Lyon.

The Dorset club’s 2019-20 top-flight campaign begins with Sheffield United visiting Vitality Stadium on August 10 before a trip to Aston Villa on August 17.

After making a fast start to 2018-19 with 20 points from their opening 10 matches, Cook admits hard work over the next month will be key if Cherries hope to deliver another strong charge when the Premier League returns.

He told the Daily Echo: “Pre-season is a huge platform for us. Last season it was very successful and it led to a great start.

“Now we need to replicate that and, hopefully, get a bit of luck injury-wise and see where it takes us.”

Cook, 28, holds the most Premier League appearances for Cherries, having missed just 13 of their 152 top-flight fixtures.

The Hastings-born star is set to complete his eighth pre-season at the club. And he admitted they do not get any easier.

Discussing the challenges players face on their return from the summer break, Cook said: "Every year it seems to ramp up. When you get older, it is even more difficult.

"Last season's pre-season was one of the hardest I've ever had and I'm expecting no different."