Eddie Howe says Lewis Cook unlucky not to be Bournemouth regular this season

Lewis Cook has struggled to beak into the Bournemouth side this season

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe admits Lewis Cook can count himself unfortunate not to have secured a regular place in his side this season.

The midfielder was a key player for the Cherries last campaign, with a string of impressive performances earning him a first England cap in March and a standby spot for Gareth Southgate's squad for this summer's World Cup.

But with Bournemouth having made an impressive start to the season - they lie eighth in the table ahead of Monday night's game against Crystal Palace, live on Sky Sports - Cook has been limited to just 29 minutes of Premier League action.

The 21-year-old did play in the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Blackburn on Tuesday night and impressed Howe, who admitted he has modelled his side this campaign on the one that beat Marseille 5-2 in a pre-season friendly.

"Naturally, he wants to play, any player would say the same. I think if he turns around and says, 'I'm happy not to play', there's a problem," said Howe.

"He's been unfortunate because going way back to the Marseille game in pre-season, we played so well I didn't want to change the team from that day.

"And then we've had a really good start to the season, it's been difficult for him to get his opportunity in the Premier League.

"[The Blackburn game] I think is his best performance. I think MK Dons in the previous round, he was maybe over-trying but [on Tuesday] I thought he was very good and he was a key performer to why we played so well.

"I've got some tough calls to make for Crystal Palace."

Watch Bournemouth v Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event at 7pm.