BEN Pearson revealed returning star Lewis Cook was looking “real sharp” as he tomorrow gets set to make his competitive comeback for Cherries.

Cook, who signed a new contract with the Dorset club last month, has not featured since rupturing his ACL during a Championship clash at Preston back in March.

It is the second time in his career the England international has suffered such an injury.

But after now stepping up his training in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is set to turn out for the club’s under-21 squad in the Premier League Cup against Arsenal at Vitality Stadium.

Pearson had trained alongside the former Leeds United man while doing pre-season work, during Cherries’ trip to Marbella in July.

And the former Preston ace insists his midfield teammate is set to add more competition, having been back in full training with the squad behind the scenes.

Asked about Cook’s imminent return, Pearson told the Daily Echo: “Lew’s back. Lew’s been training for probably the past two or three weeks, fully.

“He looks real sharp as well. I think he’s involved in the reserve game on Wednesday, so that will be good for him, just to get that mental block of not playing a game for a long time and just getting out there again.

“So he’ll add more competition and more quality. As a team, the more quality you’ve got, the better.

“I think he’s been out for seven or eight months, so it’s a long time. It probably helps how he’s been there before, he knows what it takes.

“He’ll be fine, he’ll come through the game okay hopefully and then he’ll probably up his minutes and then he’ll be involved with us.”

Head coach Scott Parker has been full of praise for Cook’s rehab work, having yet to name the midfielder in one of his squads since arriving in the summer.

But the boss is looking forward to witnessing the Under-20 World Cup winning captain in action first-hand.

Speaking at a press conference last week, Parker said: “It’s still the case that Lewis is scheduled in to play against Arsenal. He’s still on the right track. He’s trained with us, looking very good.

“The next is now the game and hopefully he comes through that.

“I’ll definitely be there to take close attention to Lewis, and the other boys. There’s other players playing in that game as well who maybe haven’t been around it or not been involved in it.

“It gives me an opportunity to see those players in a competitive match. I’m looking forward to that.”