SKIPPER Simon Francis says Callum Wilson has “always bounced back” from previous goal droughts and remains confident the striker will start finding the net soon to help fire Cherries out of the Premier League relegation zone.

England striker Wilson ended a run of 14 games for club and country without a goal when he found the net as a substitute against Luton Town in the FA Cup earlier this month.

But his top-flight wait continues after firing another blank against Watford on Sunday with Wilson not scoring in the Premier League since netting against West Ham back in September.

Worryingly, the 27-year-old has only registered one shot on target in the league in that time, which came during defeat at Arsenal on October 6.

Wilson joined Cherries in 2014 and was last month voted into the Echo readers’ team of the decade. He has notched 64 goals for the club in 172 appearances since his arrival from Coventry and team-mate Francis, who has been at Cherries since Wilson joined, has no doubts the forward will get back on track.

Asked how much Wilson will be hurting by his recent drought, Francis told the Daily Echo: “I would expect he will be, but he’s a confident lad. He plays on confidence. He’s had these spells before in his career and whilst I’ve known him he’s always bounced back. That’s the sign of a top player, a top striker and I expect no different from Callum.

“He’s one of the most positive lads I’ve played with, I’ve always said that. He’ll be the first one to be upbeat whenever we train again.

“That’s how you have to be. Because if the majority of the experienced lads are down this week then it’s only going to paint a negative picture going into the Norwich game (on Saturday).

“Of course there will be lads low on confidence, negativity creeping in. But we can’t allow that to happen because once you almost accept defeat you’re in real trouble, and we won’t do that.

“We’ll come out fighting and we know it’s a big game against Norwich.”

He added: “They (strikers) thrive on confidence in front of goal. Luton would’ve helped with that, but maybe the service wasn’t good enough on Sunday.

“You can’t fault their work ethic, Callum and Dom (Solanke). The same with all the lads in the team to be fair, they’ve been excellent.

“If you give that commitment and desire and 100 per cent then something will go our way.”

And boss Eddie Howe, who signed Wilson almost six years ago, credited the attitude shown by the Coventry-born ace.

Asked if he had seen a change in Wilson during his recent struggles in front of goal, Howe said: “Callum’s a really, really positive guy.

“He has an incredible mentality, I’ve always said that.

“When you go into a room and Callum’s in there, you hear him and you usually hear him laughing. He’s got a very distinctive laugh and he’s that kind of character.

“Have I noticed a change? No. He’s still been that bubbly guy that we need him to be.

“But I know he’s hurt that he hasn’t scored because he lives for scoring goals, always has done.

“I know there’s that feeling there, but he hasn’t let it show and that’s credit to him.”

Howe added: “Callum has to take responsibility for his performances.

“It will be the same for any player, if you’re not getting what you want from the match and the first thing you do is criticise the team, then you’re not going to solve the problem.

“Ultimately you have the power to change that yourself.

“So first and foremost you have to look at yourself and then secondly I’m well aware the team hasn’t created as many chances as we have historically and know we can do.

“We haven’t attacked with the usual verve and rhythm that we have had in previous seasons so I’m aware that is always a reason.

“There are two sides to look at it and I’d be very careful before blaming one or the other.

“It’s always a combination of the two.”