Cook started every league game under O’Neil, prior to picking up a knee injury which forced him off at Brentford in January.
Since, Joe Rothwell has been given more chances in that central midfield role, with he, Jefferson Lerma and Philip Billing all in fine form in recent weeks.
That has seen Cook’s chances restricted to cameo appearances off the bench, featuring for just 97 minutes across the past two months, since he returned to fitness.
Asked how the 26-year-old has responded to the challenge of being out of the team,
Gary O’Neil said: “He’s been fine. He’s fully on board with understanding what’s needed. It’s not about any one individual these next few weeks. It’s about all of us pulling together and Lew understands that. Of course, if you get an unfortunate injury, you are open to the fact people can come in and do well and then you have to fight hard to get your place back. I’m sure Lew will be back in the team at some point. There’s always things that happen. He’s working hard in training every day to prove he’s ready and I can see he’s ready for when the opportunity comes up. He’ll be ready to grasp it, I’m sure.”
