Howe talks up Captain Cook for England

Eddie Howe feels Bournemouth captain Steve Cook is playing well enough to earn international recognition with England. Cook has been an ever-present for Bournemouth in the Premier League so far this season and has played a key role in helping the Cherries keep three successive clean sheets in the top flight.
Arguably the 28-year-old’s best performance of the season to date came during Bournemouth’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Saturday – a match that also saw the long-serving centre-back make his 150th appearance in the Premier League.
Howe has been impressed by Cook’s displays and feels the former Brighton youngster, who has been part of the club’s rise from League One to the Premier League, would be worthy of an international call-up with England. “I would never say that’s beyond him,” Howe said of Cook’s England chances. “I think there was a spell, maybe two years ago, where I felt he was playing very well and would be a definite option for England. That never quite happened for him. “But if he continues to perform like that then I think he will have every chance. I’m sure they (England’s coaching staff) are aware of him, for sure.”
England boss Gareth Southgate is due to name his squad for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Montenegro and Kosovo later in the week.
Cook has never previously received international recognition at any level but there may now be an opening, with Southgate bringing various central defenders into his squad over recent months.
The likes of Tyrone Mings, Fikayo Tomori, James Tarkowski and Lewis Dunk have all been handed a chance and Cook could well be the next in line.
Bournemouth team-mate Callum Wilson has established himself as part of the England fold, while fellow Cherries players Lewis Cook and Dominic Solanke have also earned international recognition in the not-too-distant past.