Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: New one-year deal for Cooper
SHAUN Cooper is determined to repay boss Eddie Howe's faith after signing a new one-year contract with Cherries.[LNB] Cooper was offered terms despite being restricted to just six appearances during Cherries' League Two promotion campaign.[LNB] The 26-year-old playmaker made his comeback at the end of March after enduring a lengthy spell on the sidelines following major hip surgery last summer.[LNB] However, Cooper's versatility and wealth of knowledge of League One will be invaluable as Howe's men prepare to pit their wits back in the third flight.[LNB] Cooper told the Daily Echo: I am delighted to have signed. As I hardly played any games last season, it would have been difficult for me to find another club if I hadn't been offered something here.[LNB] Although I feel very fit, my fitness would have been in question to other clubs and it is only natural that other managers would have looked at that.[LNB] The club has been good to me and it was decent of them to offer me something, especially considering the length of time I was out. I appreciate it and want to repay their faith by trying to perform well. I have got to prove I can stay fit and am confident there will not be any problems.[LNB] Cooper went under the knife to cure his persistent hip injury 12 months ago and was a frustrated spectator for much of the season as Cherries secured runners-up spot in League Two.[LNB] I'm just looking forward to pre-season and starting with a clean slate, said the Isle of Wight-born utility man. It's not going to be easy winning a place in the team but I'm relishing the challenge.[LNB] I played a handful of games last season and was conscious of not being the weak link. I didn't want to be responsible for doing something which may have cost us getting over the line.[LNB] It is going to be good to be starting on a level playing field with everybody else and fighting for a place in the team.[LNB] Everybody knows the top half of League One is a very high standard. It's going to be good and will bring out the best in our squad.[LNB] I think we will get accustomed to it quickly and going up a level will also improve a lot of our players.[LNB] I fully believe we will blossom in the league.[LNB] It's nice to play in games when more football is played but there are going to be scrappy and ugly games as well.[LNB] You've got to do what it takes to win.[LNB] We were a winning team last season and the place was buzzing. It has never been like that since I've been here and it was disappointing for me to have missed out.[LNB] We have got to be realistic and find our feet in this division but I'm confident we can take the step up in our stride. I believe we can be in the top half.[LNB]
