Wilson confident he will return stronger than ever for Bournemouth

Callum Wilson is confident he will return a much stronger person and player as he continues his rehab from a second serious knee injury.

Wilson injured his cruciate ligaments in February for the second time in his career and the Bournemouth front man now faces another extended spell on the sidelines.

But having flown out to Dubai for the Cherries’ training camp, Wilson is confident the experience of his first knee injury – sustained in September 2015 – will stand him in good stead when he returns to action next season.

“It’s going well,” said Wilson of his progress. “I’m six weeks post-op now and I feel like I’m ahead of where I was last time in terms of moving and gym work – it’s probably down to having the experience of the injury before.

“My head’s in a good place and I think my injury recovery’s going well.

“It’s easier going through it a second time because out of that bad situation you’ve got that experience of how to get through it how to get back fit and strong again.

“I feel like when I returned last time I wasn’t back to my best at all for a while so this time there have been things I’ve changed.

“One thing I have changed from last time is that before I isolated myself and that didn’t really help, it just got me down more.

“This time I’m staying around the lads more and trying to feel a part of it, even though you know you can’t train with them.

“I’ve matured from the last time so now instead of being envious I’m embracing the others and trying to be a part of it, knowing I’ll be back out there soon.”