Woodgate: 'Lewis is the type of lad you'd go to war with'

The Cherries star is set for another lengthy spell out on the sidelines after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Preston on Saturday.

The England international will now see a specialist and be out for a number of months.

Cook spent nine months out of action previously with Cherries, having suffered a similar injury in the same knee in December 2018.

Speaking about Cook ahead of his team’s home game against Barnsley at Vitality Stadium tomorrow, Woodgate said: “He will be back fitter and stronger. I know what type of lad he is. His personality is fantastic.

“He will have his family and his girlfriend supporting him and the full team. The full team are gutted for Lewis but like I say, he will be back fitter and stronger.

“It’s a tough time when you get injured. It’s going to be a difficult period for Lewis but he will get back. That’s the biggest thing.

“I’ve spoken to him a couple of times. He has been in that situation before, so he knows what it takes. That’s the thing. He knows what he has to do now.

“He’s disappointed, which he’s going to be, he’s already got his head round what he needs to do. If he gets the right rehab from the club then he will be absolutely fine.”

Cook had played 35 times for Cherries in all competitions this season.

He scored his first Cherries goal in a 4-2 victory over Reading back in November.

Woodgate himself saw his career hit by injury issues, including a painful thigh problem during his time at Real Madrid.

Asked how he used to cope with his own injury problems, the head coach said: “The only person who can deal with it is you.

“Okay, you get the support from the staff at the football club and your family but you’ve got to be mentally tough and deal with it.

“He will do that. I know what he’s like as a character, I love him as a character. I adore his personality.

“He’s type of lad you’d go to war with. He’s one of those characters. I am gutted for him really.”