CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe admitted full-back Tyrone Mings had suffered a body blow in his battle to return from a serious knee injury.

The former Ipswich man could miss the start of next season as a result of the problem he picked up minutes into his Premier League debut against Leicester in August.

Mings went under the knife this week and Howe said: “I’d say it’s a slight setback, nothing major.

“When Tyrone suffered the injury we were looking at between nine and 12 months and I think we’re now looking at the 12 more than the nine.

“He has had some staples removed in his knee. He was getting a little bit of aggravation on his hamstring so we have had them taken out.

“It’s not a serious operation but it’s one that delays the time of his comeback. I think it will be into next season before we see him back.”

Meanwhile, Howe says Callum Wilson is making good progress with his long-term knee injury.

The highly-rated hotshot has been sidelined since September but is now back in full training.

And while Howe admits he is pleased by Wilson’s progress, he remains keen to guard against rushing the frontman back.

Howe said: “Callum is doing well. He has trained for a period of time. I think, naturally, he has been slightly ginger with his training – he has had a serious injury and is feeling his way back in.

“But I think we are beginning to see more of the normal Callum now, throwing his body here, there and everywhere, stepping across defenders and giving them a tough time in training. It’s been good to see.

“I’m still slightly cautious with him because I’m thinking of his long-term future, I don’t think we want to rush him back.

“When he’s ready, he’s ready and I think we’ll know that and he’ll know that so there is no pressure from our side.

“I’d love to see him step onto the pitch before the end of the season and we can’t wait to see him back in a Bournemouth shirt.

“He knows that although the knee looks good, there is still some way to go in terms of its strength and making sure it’s robust enough to withstand the rigours of the Premier League.

“We know we can only have any player when they are 100 per cent fit. I’m sure when he is ready, we will know.”

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Manchester City (3pm), Howe is hopeful that injuries suffered by Joshua King (calf) and Harry Arter (Achilles) are not long-term.

The boss added: “Joshua King has had a calf problem but I don’t think it’s a serious one.

“I haven’t seen Harry Arter since he’s been back. It was disappointing for him to have to pull out of the Ireland squad but, hopefully, it is not too serious.”