EDDIE Howe admitted Callum Wilson’s finishing was sharper than ever and said the striker’s £3million transfer fee had proved “a snip”.

Fans’ favourite Wilson joined Cherries from Coventry City in the summer of 2014 and went on to convert 23 times in 50 appearances as the Dorset side won the Championship.

That remains the frontman’s most goal-heavy campaign to date in a Cherries shirt, due in no small part to the two serious knee injuries he sustained following the club’s elevation to the top flight.

However, this season Wilson has tucked away nine goals in 17 appearances. He also scored on his England debut against the United States last month.

The 26-year-old, who missed Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Liverpool, is hoping to be fit for the trip to Wolves this weekend.

Asked how the Wilson of 2018 was different to the player he signed, Howe told the Daily Echo: “There is a big difference. The biggest compliment I can give him is that there is a big difference despite the fact he has spent a lot of time out injured.

“He has really had to develop and has done so in a lot of really important ways. Physically, he is more robust, he is stronger – you have to be in the Premier League.

“You can see the physical nature of most Premier League centre-backs – they are very quick and very strong and he has been able to give them problems.

“Physically, he has been great and technically he has improved. You don’t get the number of assists he has this season without developing a level of awareness, creativity and improving your weight of pass.

“I have been really pleased to see that part of his game evolve and develop and of course his finishing is better than it’s ever been.

“Because you get fewer chances in the Premier League, you have to be clinical when they come and the most pleasing thing about the past two goals is they were both headers, which is something he has worked on.

“I’m just pleased with his enjoyment of the game at the moment.

“He seems very happy, he has a spring in his step, he is buzzing around the training ground and there is a very good feel about him.

“I want him to continue to enjoy it because if he continues to play with a smile, that means he is scoring goals.”

Wilson was one of the most expensive signings in Cherries history when he joined. But his transfer fee has gone on to be dwarfed by a string of other new arrivals.

Discussing the bargain deal struck for the frontman, Howe said: “Time can always play games with transfer fees. You second guess yourself when you are in charge and making the decisions.

“You think: ‘it’s a lot of money to invest. Is he the right player?’ and I thought he was.

“Certainly, the fee at the time was discussed as a lot of money which it was and still is.

“But when you compare it to fees now it looks a snip, doesn’t it?”