BOSS Eddie Howe hailed the completed Premier League comeback of Lewis Cook and said: “It was hugely impressive.”

The England midfielder was a surprise inclusion in the Dorset club’s starting XI during the 3-1 victory over Everton.

A Callum Wilson double either side of Ryan Fraser’s converted free-kick ensured Howe’s men picked up their first home league win of the campaign at Vitality Stadium.

Former Leeds star Cook was given a standing ovation from the home fans having been replaced by Jeferson Lerma after 77 minutes.

It was his first top-flight appearance in 285 days having ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Huddersfield last December.

Speaking about the 22-year-old’s return, Howe said: “It was hugely impressive. He’s missed a lot of football and he has done everything right in his recovery. He really had put the yards in.

“I never have seen a player run as much as he has in his recovery. We have really taken our time with him, we haven’t rushed him.

“He has had two behind-closed-doors games and looked really good in those games. That’s why I selected him off the back of those performances in those matches.”

The boss added: “He handles the ball in any situation and you saw early in the match how he manipulated himself out of some really difficult holes.

“That’s full credit to him and the type of player he is. He is very much the modern-day centre midfield player and we are just pleased to get him back now.

“We hope he stays fit and available for us and gets back to the levels he was consistently before, because he was a huge part of our team.”

Victory saw Cherries move to eighth in the table with seven points from their opening five games. They are just a point behind third-placed Tottenham.

Assessing victory over the Toffees as a whole, Howe added: “I was really, really pleased. You don’t want to go too long without winning at home. This league is hard enough but you are reliant on your home form.

“We knew the importance of the game and it’s a great win against a good team.

“I think this season we are only going to get stronger when we have more players back from injury. The group is really strong when we have a full compliment of players, we have options in every position.

“This win gives the strength of the group real confidence.”