CALLUM Wilson hopes to have done enough to earn a place in Eddie Howe's first starting line-up but also knows squad rotation will be the name of the game at his new club.

Striker Wilson put the finishing touches to a fruitful pre-season campaign by bagging a first career hat-trick in Cherries' final friendly against Oxford United six days ago.

The 22-year-old was plucked by Howe from Coventry after impressing the Cherries boss when he scored 22 times in League One for the Sky Blues last season.

And while Wilson is keen to prove himself at the next level, he knows he is one of a number of strikers at Howe's disposal for Cherries' Championship opener at Huddersfield tomorrow.

Wilson, who was also on target in Cherries' 11-0 rout of Dorchester during pre-season, told the Daily Echo: “It has been a big learning curve coming here.

“The quality of the players is tremendous and there are some fantastic players at the club. The manager is excellent, the staff are great and so are the players. I am enjoying working with them.

“We are a team and whoever is selected, we will support them. We have had pre-season to try to stamp our mark on a starting place.

“It is natural for some players to be disappointed if they don't start but games come thick and fast and everyone is going to be used throughout the season so I don't think anyone, including myself, will sulk. They are a great bunch of lads and I know everyone will support each other.”

Wilson progressed through the Coventry academy and made his league debut as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat by QPR in the Championship in December 2010.

He added: “I am excited about playing in the Championship. Pre-season has been good and it has been a fresh start for me. I have scored four goals and, hopefully, that will give me confidence going into the season to start with a bang.

“It was great to get my first career hat-trick. I scored a few when I was younger but hadn't scored one for a while so it was nice to get one in a first-team game. It does the confidence the world of good and stands you in good stead going into the season.

“I was pleased with the goals I scored. I missed a lot of chances as well but the positive out of that was I got the chances, albeit against lower-league opposition. It is always good to hit the back of the net and the more goals you get, the better.”