NEW boy Steve Cook has not ruled out an extended stay at Seward Stadium – if Brighton decide he is surplus to requirements.

Cook, who last week joined Cherries on a one-month emergency loan, turned in an impressive display on his debut against Preston North End on Saturday.

Thrown into the deep end by boss Lee Bradbury due to Stéphane Zubar’s suspension and Shaun Cooper’s injury, Cook caught the eye as Bradbury’s side ran out 3-1 winners at Deepdale.

And the 20-year-old admitted a longer spell in Dorset could be a possibility if the Seagulls opt not to offer him a new deal.

Cook told the Echo: “I want to play. That is what I am here for and I want to help Bournemouth climb the table.

“I had a longer loan spell at Mansfield and it is hard just coming for a month. We will have to play it by ear and see what happens.

“I hope my future is at Brighton, but with me playing games now, it puts my name out there a little more. If I don’t get offered a new contract at Brighton, I’ll deal with it when it happens.

“Bournemouth like to play football and can battle as well, which is what I love. If Lee likes what I am doing and I’m not in Brighton’s plans, who knows. We will have to wait and see.”

Bradbury ran the rule over Cook when the Hastings-born centre-back turned out for the Seagulls reserves at Seward Stadium earlier this month, while Cherries scout Steve Gritt is understood to have watched the defender during Brighton’s Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool in September.

Cook, who linked up with Cherries just 48 hours before the trip to Deepdale, could keep his place for Saturday’s visit of Scunthorpe.

Reflecting on his debut, Cook said: “I was really pleased because I only had one training session with the boys and I hadn’t played in a game like that for a long time.

“Match fitness will come for me because that was the only thing I struggled with, but overall I am pleased.

“As a young centre-half, you don’t get a lot of trust these days. I was buzzing to be thrown in the deep end like that and I play better that way.

“If I have time to think about things too much, I can get nervous. But that wasn’t the case here and I have settled in well, got the first win and I am looking forward to Saturday.”