CALLUM Wilson last night flew to Qatar's renowned Aspire Academy to step up his rehabilitation from the serious knee injury that prematurely ended his season.

Cherries striker Wilson ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament in a training ground accident in early February – an incident he admitted had left him at "rock bottom".

The 25-year-old returned six-and-a-half months after suffering the same injury to his opposite knee in September 2015.

But, speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, Wilson revealed he was adopting a "balanced" approach to his latest recovery with the expressed aim of coming back a better player.

His holistic strategy included going to Wembley to cheer former club Coventry City to victory in Sunday's Checkatrade Trophy final.

"I am spending three weeks in Qatar," said Wilson, who recently joined the Cherries party that travelled to Dubai for a training camp.

"I have taken the family with me and it is a chance to get away from the club for a bit.

"You have to strike a balance in your recovery and keep things fresh to avoid becoming frustrated.

"The Aspire Academy has been recommended to me so I will continue my rehab out there.

"I am ahead of schedule and further on than I was at the same stage last time. But I want to get myself to a place where I am 100 per cent confident and I feel 100 back to me, before I start playing again."

The sprawling Aspire complex in the Qatari capital of Doha opened in 2004. Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is one of a host of Premier League stars to have previously used the academy's cutting-edge sports science facilities for recuperation purposes.

Wilson's determination to return in the strongest possible condition will also see him visit a consultant in Philadelphia for further treatment and counsel.

"I am seeing these different specialists to make sure I have loads of opinions and the best advice and drills to help me come back in the best shape I possibly can," added Wilson.

"It is nice to see the lads and be in the changing room environment with all the banter. But every five or six weeks, I try to freshen things up and do something else. I feel good, I am on the bike and back to my normal self."