A last 16 Carabao Cup tie between Bournemouth and Middlesbrough might not seem too appealing this Tuesday night but for the Cherries fans it could prove to be a chance to welcome back one of their favourite sons.
Callum Wilson was on the bench for the away trip to Stoke City in the Premier League on Saturday with the former Coventry man edging ever nearer to making his comeback from yet another serious injury. Wilson banged in a hat-trick last week in the Central League win over Southend United, and the League Cup clash at home on Tuesday night looks like the perfect opportunity to re-introduce the 25-year-old to the first team.
The return of Wilson could not have come at a better time with both Josh King and Jermain Defoe currently on the sidelines for a Bournemouth side that have struggled in front of goal this term. The Cherries have scored just six goals in eight matches in the Premier League and Eddie Howe will be keeping his fingers crossed that Wilson can return to his best form over the coming weeks and months,
It is easy to forget just how important Wilson was to the rise of the Cherries into the Premier League, but since arriving in the top flight, it has been injury after injury for the English forward. Wilson took to the Premier League like a duck to water back in 2015 when he scored a hat-trick against West Ham but since then he has ruptured the ACL in both his left and right knee, and he hasn't been seen in the first team since February as a result.
He has turned into something of a forgotten man over the past couple of years due to his injuries but prior to that it was thought he was on the verge of an England call-up, and was being linked with some of the biggest clubs in the land. His record at Dean Court stands up very well with to this day with 31 goals in 78 matches, and that sort of fire power could well prove invaluable to a Bournemouth team who have struggled so far this term.
Jermain Defoe has failed to find his best form since arriving to much fanfare and with Benik Afobe and Josh King perhaps all struggling in terms of goals, it could be that Wilson is given the chance to earn his place back in the team as soon as he is fit enough.
A good showing at home to Middlesbrough in the League Cup can only enhance those claims, and with Chelsea upcoming this Saturday evening, Howe will be looking to have strongest squad available for the arrival of the champions to the Vitality Stadium.
At his peak Wilson was the best striker in the Championship and the perfect fit for an Eddie Howe side that loves to hit teams on the break. The England U21 International was the key component of the team that won promotion to the Premier League with his runs down the channel the key to opening up teams, and stretching the play.
At just 25, Wilson remains young enough to realise his full potential but there will be some concern about whether or not he will be able to bounce back to his very best after two serious injuries. His game was built on speed and acceleration, and he will need to prove he still has that over the first 10 metres if he is to pick up where he left off, but if one thing is for sure, it is that he will be a massive boost for the squad and the fans on the south coast.
Eddie Howe has been talking positively about Wilson since his return to first team training, and he is clearly happy to have him back in the fold.
Callum is a real energiser, so to get him back around the group would be really important for us.
As things stand, Bournemouth sit next to bottom in the Premier League but a fully fit and firing Callum Wilson could be exactly what they need as they look to climb their way up the table and towards safety.
