Bournemouth will reportedly consider letting Lewis Cook leave the club on loan in January – with his former club Leeds linked with his signature.

Cook joined the Cherries in a £7million deal over the summer from the Whites, with the fee potentially rising to £10million based on conditions.

However, after making his debut in the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season, Cook has been restricted to just two more appearances for the club – both in the Capital One Cup.

He was competing with both Harry Arter and Andre Surnan for a place in the Cherries midfield – but the unexpected arrival of Jack Wilshere on a season-long loan from Arsenal has pushed the player further down the pecking order.

Cook back to Leeds?

Now, reports suggest the Cherries could consider letting Cook leave the club on loan in January if his first-team prospects do not improve – with the player predictably linked with a return to his former club, Leeds.

The Whites are well stocked for central midfielders, with Liam Bridcutt, Kalvin Phillips and Eunan O’Kane all regular picks for manager Garry Monk. Alex Mowatt and Ronaldo Vieira present alternatives to Monk.

But the opportunity to re-sign Cook – a fans’ favourite at Elland Road – would surely be too good an opportunity to resist should the situation present itself in January.