AFCB

First Team

Lewis Cook set for England Under-20 World Cup campaign

Lewis Cook has jetted off to South Korea as England's FIFA U-20 World Cup gets started in the Asian country on Saturday.

The England squad - which also includes players such as Everton duo Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, as well as Spurs' Josh Onomah - get their group stage started at 8:30am (GMT) on Saturday morning against Argentina.

The call up means Cook will miss the Cherries' final game of the Premier League season, away to Leicester City on Sunday.

England's group games (GMT kick-off times GMT)

Saturday 20th May, 8:30am:
Argentina v England, Jeonju World Cup Stadium

Tuesday 23rd May, 9am:
England v Guinea, Jeonju World Cup Stadium

Friday 26th May, 12pm:
England v South Korea, Suwon World Cup Stadium

If England qualify they will head into the knockout stages, which will culminate with the final on 11th June in Suwon.

Ahead of his flight out to join Paul Simpson's squad, Cook told afcb.co.uk about joining up with his international team-mates.

"I knew about the World Cup a long time ago and we've been building up to that since we qualified.

"It was a hard decision to make with playing in the Premier League a massive thing; since I've come in I've really enjoyed it but it's the World Cup and it's hard to say no.

"The gaffer's been great about it and we've had a lot of chats about it and decided I should go. I know the players we have here are more than capable of stepping in for me, they have great quality."

Discussing his side's chances of success in Korea, Cook was positive: "We've got a great chance, we've got a great squad who have been together for ages now.

"We know how each other play and I don't see why we can't get far, and hopefully we will."