CHERRIES star Callum Wilson has withdrawn from the England under-21 squad due to injury.

Wilson sustained a knee injury during the closing stages of Cherries’ 3-0 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday with news of his anticipated withdrawal revealed on the Daily Echo website. 

The striker had played a pivotal role in helping Cherries return to the top of the Championship before he was forced off and replaced by Tokelo Rantie.

Wilson, who has been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks after being troubled by problems with his toes, felt some discomfort behind his right knee.

He made his debut for the under-21s as a substitute against France in November and kept his place in the squad for friendlies against Czech Republic and Germany later this month.

However, the Football Association today confirmed the 23-year-old would not be linking up with the rest of Gareth Southgate’s.

Middlesbrough’s on-loan striker Patrick Bamford and West Brom’s Saido Berahino have also withdrawn, while Fulham’s Cauley Woodrow has been drafted in to the squad.

Cherries are also sweating on the fitness of winger Marc Pugh, who also starred in the victory against Boro before succumbing to injury in the closing stages.

Pugh, whose exit saw Cherries end the contest with 10 men on the pitch, suffered a gash to his shin and a blow to his ankle during a challenge with Lee Tomlin.

Asked by the Daily Echo on Saturday whether he may be forced to dip into the emergency loan market ahead of Thursday’s deadline, boss Eddie Howe replied: “There are no obvious plans at the moment.

“By the time the international break is over, Dan Gosling and Eunan O’Kane will be fit to play, as will Baily Cargill, Ian Harte and Junior Stanislas.

“My concerns are with Callum and Marc so we need to see how serious they are before we decide. I know Callum has been having big problems with his toes recently and has been having injections. That may have affected his running style slightly and he felt something was not quite right in his knee. We are hoping it is nothing serious with both him and Marc.”