LEWIS Cook insisted he was thankful for the faith shown in him by Cherries as he reached a milestone appearance number and is “hoping I can get many, many more”.

The England international, who last week extended his contract until 2025, reached 150 appearances for the Dorset club during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Signed from Leeds United for a reported £7million in 2016, the 25-year-old came off the bench to replace Ben Pearson during Saturday’s season opener.

Asked what it felt like to reach 150 appearances for Cherries, Cook, who has recovered from two serious knee injuries while at the club, said: “I would have liked to have got there a bit earlier than I have done but it’s still a massive achievement for myself.

“I love playing football. I love playing games and hoping I can get many, many more.

“Six years now I have been here and it has been up and down, a bit of a rollercoaster with myself. The club have shown great faith in me.

“I am just delighted to be here, especially with the players and staff. It’s a great group.”

He added: “There was a lot riding on the first game and the lads delivered.

“It was a great performance, great team spirit and we spoke about it before the game. The effort and the fight we are going to need this year and we showed it on Saturday.”

Cook was left on the bench behind Pearson and Philip Billing last time out.

And while he insisted he was “disappointed” not be involved from the start, the York-born ace vowed to graft for his team.

“Obviously I was disappointed not to start but in the past, sometimes it’s been me over other players,” said the England Under-20 World Cup winner.

“I’ve been through so much already in my career. It’s part of football and you’ve got to perform to get in the team. I am going to keep working hard, keep understanding the role.

“Look, we are a great team, we’ve got a great team spirit and whoever is in there is going to give it 100 per cent.

“The lads who didn’t start on Saturday, who came on, they gave it their all as well. It’s part of football, we went with those two on Saturday and won the game, it’s massive.”

Cook will hope to be involved when Cherries make the trip to Manchester City on Saturday (3pm).