CHERRIES star Callum Wilson revealed he had “never doubted” he would return from serious injury and said his family had kept up his spirits during his painstaking recovery.

Wilson took his first major step on the comeback trail when he made a brief cameo appearance during Cherries’ 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Saturday.

The striker, who had been sidelined for almost seven months, received a rousing welcome from travelling supporters when he came off the bench during the closing stages.

Wilson had made a promising start to Cherries’ maiden campaign in the Premier League and was joint leading marksman in the top flight 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 during Cherries’ 2-1 defeat at Stoke in September.

It came just a month after team-mates Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings had sustained similar injuries and left Wilson facing an uncertain period due to the severity of the damage.

But after working tirelessly on his rehabilitation and with the support of fiancée Stacey and three-year-old son Oritse, Wilson finally got his rewards at Villa Park.

Wilson, who had spearheaded Cherries’ promotion by netting 23 goals in all competitions last season, told the Daily Echo: “You have high and low points when you are injured.

“I never doubted myself and just made sure I didn’t cut any corners and did everything to my full ability during my rehab.

“My team-mates and all the staff at the club were great. Max and Tyrone were going through the same thing so we were there for one another. For me, my family was the most important thing and they really kept me going.”

Since Wilson’s injury, Cherries boss Eddie Howe has significantly bolstered his attacking resources with Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban arriving in January.

Joshua King has grown in statue as the season has progressed, with the Norwegian frontman notching his sixth goal at Villa to pass Wilson as the club’s joint leading marksman.

Wilson added: “Competition for any striker is good because it pushes you. The manager has made some great signings and those players have helped get us to where we are now.

“We are in the Premier League so nobody can expect to walk into the team every week. Competition is healthy and, hopefully, I will be pushing them for their shirts.

“I encouraged them while I was out because you want your team-mates to score. The goals have been shared around and I have great faith in the boys.

“We won the Championship last season so we knew the ability was there. It was just about having confidence having made the step up and we have done that.

“We have five games left and, as a striker, you want to finish top of the tree. I am still only one goal behind so hopefully I can make that up.”