SCOTT Parker insists Steve Cook has not suffered any injury setback, despite the centre-back missing Saturday's trip to Hull City.
Cook, who captained Cherries last season, made his first appearance for the club since May in Tuesday night's 6-0 humbling at Norwich City in the Carabao Cup.
The 30-year-old missed the entirety of pre-season due to the knee problem he suffered during the Championship play-offs against Brentford.
But after coming through his rehab, the defender played the full 90 minutes at Carrow Road in midweek.
However, he was not included against Hull, with Chris Mepham partnering Lloyd Kelly at centre-back and keeping a clean sheet in the 0-0 draw, with Gary Cahill and Zeno Ibsen Rossi in reserve on the bench.
Discussing Cook's absence at the MKM Stadium, Parker told BBC Radio Solent: "Just a selection decision. He came through Norwich okay.
"He’s obviously been out for some time. Just solely a selection decision from me."
Cook, who is understood to have entered the final year of his contract at Vitality Stadium, has been linked with a move away from Cherries this summer.
Asked earlier this week if he expected all of his centre-backs to remain at the club past Tuesday's transfer deadline, Parker said: “Possible, definitely possible.
“At the same time, while the window is open, there is also an opportunity of maybe that not being the case really.
“At this moment, it seems like that’s going to be the way. I’ve not seen or heard any different really.
“We have five centre-halves here. We will have to see over the last few days exactly how that transpires.”
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