JACK Stacey hailed the "phenomenal" resilience of teammate Lewis Cook to battle back from his second serious knee injury, admitting: "I can't imagine what he has had to go through."

Cook returned to the matchday squad for the victory over Reading at the end of October, before making his return to the field as a late substitute during Saturday's 4-0 win over Swansea City.

It was the first time the England international had featured in a competitive fixture since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a Championship contest at Preston North End in March.

Cook previously suffered a similar injury in the same knee, whilst playing for Cherries against Huddersfield Town in the Premier League at Vitality Stadium in December 2018.

He battled back from that setback to cement his spot in the starting XI, only to be struck down again at Deepdale.

Speaking after making his comeback against Swansea, Cook told afcbTV: "I've worked really hard to get to this moment and I just want to say a big thank you to my family, my friends, the club and obviously the staff who got me here as well.

"It's just great to be back on the pitch."

And Stacey, who played the full 90 minutes of Cherries' win against the Swans, is delighted the 24-year-old is available to be called upon once again.

He told the Daily Echo: "It’s amazing. Not only is he a quality player we have missed, he’s such a great guy to have around the changing room.

“I think his recovery, for the second time, has been phenomenal.

“The progress he has made and to be back within the amount of months he has been – in training he has been very, very good."

He added: "Listen, at the start of the season I was injured for three weeks and that was mentally tough. I can’t imagine what he has had to go through.

"That’s real testament to himself and hopefully that’s only going to help in the future, the resilience he has built up."

Asked how the squad helped Cook through his recovery, Stacey added: "It’s about all talking. It’s about making sure they are still a part of the squad and almost celebrating with him, the little steps he’s made.

“His first under-21s game against Arsenal – we were there to watch him. His first 90 minutes back, we were almost celebrating those milestones with him and just making sure he knows we are there."