SCOTT Parker was pleased to see Lewis Cook make his competitive return for Cherries’ first team and insisted: “He is going to be vital for us.”

The England international had been out since March having ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Preston at Deepdale.

But, having built up minutes for the club’s development side in recent weeks, former Leeds man Cook replaced Philip Billing with seven minutes remaining of Saturday’s 4-0 win over Swansea City.

Speaking about the midfielder’s return, Parker said: “I was pleased for Lew. I have been in those positions where you have been injured.

“That’s a lonely place to be sometimes when you have been long out. It’s his second injury, eight months out for Lewis as well.

“I was pleased that he got some minutes – probably should have scored at the end at the back post.

“He is going to be vital for us this year. We are going to be needing him, so I was pleased for him.”

Under-20 World Cup winning captain Cook originally joined Cherries from Leeds in the summer of 2016.