STEVE Cook says "it will be great to go back" to La Manga for pre-season with Cherries.

Eddie Howe took his side to the Spanish resort last year and they will return between July 10-17 for a week of intense training ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

Cherries will also play two friendlies during their stay in Spain, against a currently unnamed opponent on July 16 before heading to Barcelona, where they will face Girona July 20.

And having used their work in La Manga as a platform for the club's best Premier League start of 20 points from 10 matches 12 months ago, Cook is looking forward to returning.

He told the club website: "It will be great to go back.

"It was tough last season but it was a very worthwhile camp. We had a bit of everything - team bonding, good games and intense training.

"In my opinion, it was the hardest pre-season we've had since I've been here and I'm sure it will be upped again.

"It's no real surprise that we're heading back there because we started last season so well and will be looking to do the same this year."