BOSS Eddie Howe believes Callum Wilson can have his “best years” with Cherries after rewarding the striker with a new long-term contract.

Wilson last week pledged his future to Cherries after agreeing terms on a lucrative four-year deal, tying him to the club at least until 2022.

A bargain £2million buy from Coventry in 2014, Wilson has been rewarded for fighting back from two serious knee injuries, sustained just 15 months apart.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I am delighted Callum has pledged his future to us.This contract shows our belief in him and gives him the opportunity to show everybody how good he can.

“It is well documented what he has been through in the past couple of years with injuries.

“He has always handled himself in such an impressive way considering he had those setbacks.

“We are hoping this new contract can be a platform for Callum to enter his prime and have his best years with us.

“I thought he responded magnificently last season, coming back into the team and displaying the work rate and pace that had always been his hallmark

“He scored important goals for us and played his part in us having another successful season in the Premier League.

“We are really hoping he gets a full pre-season because he will be a very important player for us.”

Wilson made a flying start to life in the Premier League after netting 23 times and spearheading the Cherries attack during their Championship-winning season.

But having been capped by England at under-21 level in November 2014, the frontman was rocked when he suffered the first of two cruciate ligament injuries in September 2015.

Howe added: “That is the life of a footballer and you never know what is going to happen. The uncertainty and unknown are the same for every player.

“Callum was very unfortunate because his first injury came after he had started so well in the Premier League.

“I think we all believed he could really kick on and score a lot of goals. Who knows what might have happened that season and beyond?

“But there is no point looking back and reflecting on that. He is a great age and is in very good shape now. This is going to be another very important year in his career.”

Howe has also sanctioned new deals for skipper Simon Francis and midfielder Andrew Surman, the pair both penning contracts at least until 2020.

“They are two players who have been absolutely magnificent for the football club on the pitch and they will have very important roles again in the current campaign.” said Howe.

“They are also a big part of the heartbeat of the dressing room. They set the standard in terms of behaviour and set the culture for the rest of the players to follow. I can’t speak highly enough of them.

“They are imparting really important knowledge into the next group of players coming through and breaking into the team. Their experiences can help us implement everything we want to.”