BOSS Eddie Howe insisted the work of Cherries' support staff played a key role in Callum Wilson's journey from injury torment to England goalscorer.

Wilson completed a remarkable recovery from two anterior cruciate ligament injuries to score on his Three Lions debut against the United States.

During his eight-month spell away from football after his second rupture in February last year, the 26-year-old was helped from operating theatre to competitive action by first-team physiotherapist Jonny King.

This included the pair's trip to Philadelphia to spend time with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles.

While Wilson has previously discussed the role Knowles played in his remarkable return, Howe revealed King had also been vital to his comeback.

"Jonny King was with Callum for a long period of time during his rehab," said Howe.

"During those times you are with that person from the club more than your own family.

"You build a very special tight relationship with them. They are nursing you through some really difficult moments.

“They have to give good advice and make sure the player never loses heart and encouragement from where he is at – knowing the situation won't be permanent.

"Those relationships are really important for the player so they can come back at full strength."

Wilson is not the only Cherries player to visit a specialist to help complete a comeback from a major injury.

Tyrone Mings spent time in the United States after he tore anterior and medial ligaments on his debut for the Dorset club against Leicester in September 2015.

Last season, Mings was also referred for treatment at Aspetar, a world-renowned orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital based in the Qatari capital of Doha to recover from a back problem.

Howe said the highly-skilled specialists provided a change of scenery which boosted players during their recovery.

"We utilise the help of specialists if we have long-term injuries," said the Cherries boss.

"If a player is going to be out for six to eight months, it is a long recovery period to stay in one place. It can become mentally difficult for the player to find freshness in their work.

"When you send them away to work with someone like Bill, or other specialists we have used around the world, it can really boost the player and give them a different outlook.

"The players will go with one of our staff, as well, so they are getting the interaction to make sure they are not isolated from what we are doing with them.

"When they come back you see a much better player in terms of the mental side of the game. They are a lot fresher and keener to crack on with the second part of their recovery."

Asked if Wilson had returned from the international break with more confidence, Howe told the Daily Echo: "Callum always has very good energy, really good spirit and he is a positive guy.

"To say there has been a change, I would say no because that would suggest he wasn't in that moment before he left, because he was.

"He was on a high, scoring goals for us, doing well. Naturally it will just build his confidence levels if anything, which is a good thing for us."