CHERRIES star Callum Wilson is again hoping to hit the ground running and believes his injury nightmare has made him a “stronger person”.

Wilson has enjoyed a fruitful pre-season campaign, netting twice in Cherries’ 4-0 win over Minnesota and also looking lively against Portsmouth, Reading and Angers.

The striker is in contention to feature in Cherries’ eagerly-awaited Premier League curtain-raiser against Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Wilson made a flying start to Cherries’ maiden campaign in the top flight and was joint leading marksman after bagging five goals in his first six games.

But he suffered a shattering blow when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee at Stoke in September and spent almost seven months on the sidelines.

Wilson said: “This season is about playing as much as I can, making up for lost time and trying to replicate how I started last season and maintaining it.

“Any footballer who gets taken away for seven months from what they love doing would find it hard.

“I had been through injuries before so had experienced the downside but not for as long. It was new to be out for seven months but it has made me a stronger person.

“When you get injured, all you do is focus on that area of your body so I would say my right knee is probably stronger than my left now.

“There is more of a mental block to get over where you are a little wary of it here and there. When you stop for four to six weeks over the summer, you wonder how it’s going to stand up when you start again. But it’s been fine, it’s been stronger than ever and I’m just glad it’s in the past now.

“I’m just relishing having the opportunity to play in the Premier League again. We finished last season with Manchester United and that was my second start since coming back. Hopefully, I will be pushing for the team.”

Speculation surrounding Wilson’s future with Cherries surfaced shortly after he had returned to action, with West Ham having had a joint bid for him and Matt Ritchie rejected.

But the 24-year-old, who married fiancée Stacey over the summer, put the rumours to bed when he penned a new four-year contract in July.

Wilson added: “There was never any doubt that I was going to remain here after missing a lot of football last season. I wanted to make up for it.

“I didn’t take any notice of it (the speculation), I was planning my wedding!

“I was just concentrating on getting fit and playing as much as I could when I got back. It didn’t really bother me, it was all just hearsay.

“We need to be looking to start the season as strongly as we can. Every game is going to be big this season. There is a lot of money being spent by clubs so it is not going to be easy.”