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Star questions whether his face just doesn’t fit with England

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Image for Star questions whether his face just doesn’t fit with England

Over the course of 2018, AFC Bournemouth have seen their first two players in the history of the football club break into the England squad at full international level.

Having previously captained England Under 20’s age group to lift World Cup, Lewis Cook finished a fine season with Cherries by breaking into the England squad and winning his and AFC Bournemouth’s first ever England cap.

Cook was a 71st-minute substitute in the 1–1 draw against Italy at Wembley in March and was then on stand-by for the World Cup squad in Russia. He, however, failed to make the cut and has since dropped back down into the Under 21’s group.

The second player was Callum Wilson, but whilst he was the second Cherries player to win a cap, he became the first ever AFC Bournemouth player to start an international for England when he was selected in November at Wembley against the USA.

Wilson would also go on to score on his debut.

But one other player in the AFC Bournemouth squad is considering just why he hasn’t been given a chance by England manager Gareth Southgate.

AFC Bournemouth defender Steve Cook is the Cherries record appearance making in the top flight of English football.

The 27-year-old has made over 120 appearances in the Premier League alone for the Cherries, approaching 11,000 minutes.

Well over double the figures of former Brighton & Hove Albion team-mate Lewis Dunk, who made the last England squad and is the same age.

AFC Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook told the Daily Echo

“It’s a very tough question because it’s a dream of mine to play for England. Is it possible? I’m not too sure.

“If you are playing well for your club you give yourself a great chance and that’s all I’m focused on.

“If it ever came about it would be amazing. If not, I am just really happy being a Bournemouth player.

“My dream is to represent my country and that has never changed but sometimes you have to be realistic and, if your face doesn’t fit, it won’t happen.”

Your say…

cockbeard wrote…

Love him to bits, top top top bloke. Confidence isn’t his thing, he’s often looking at the bad things, but that’s also why he’s managed to improve himself and keep stepping up no matter the opposition. Add to that the fact every goal he does is a screamer, and he’s just a lovely man. I was and am amazed that Dunk made England squad ahead of him, but also certain that Cook was amongst the first to message Dunk congrats. Want him here for life, proper part of the club, like Pugh. – Join the conversation, click here.

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