EDDIE Howe insists England boss Gareth Southgate "will be watching" in-form Cherries star Steve Cook, after he was not included in the Three Lions' latest squad.

Many Cherries fans have called for the inclusion of Cook after his recent displays helped Howe's men preserve three consecutive clean sheets.

Asked if he feels the defender should be on the radar for a national call, Howe said: "Steve Cook is performing really well for the team and has really played his part in that defensive steel.

"For him it's just be consistent and keep producing the performances.

"I think from my side I see him every day so I know the quality of his performances. I know how good he can be.

"I know that Gareth will be watching every Premier League game closely, every English player performing well in the Premier League.

"I think Steve can have no worries on that side, he's just got to produce the performances to get picked."

Cherries do have full England internationals in their ranks, including Lewis Cook, who has recently returned from a serious knee injury. But he was also not selected in Southgate's 27-man squad.

He said: "Lewis has just come back from a long-term injury so I think at the moment my message to him would be just to continue to enjoy your football.

"That feeling of training every day after a long-term injury, there's nothing better than when you feel like you've returned to fitness and you're free again of that injury.

"He's in a very good place at the moment."