STRIKER Callum Wilson described as a “wand” the magical left-foot of Spanish full-back Diego Rico and hoped the defender took confidence from his first Premier League assist.

The 26-year-old played an influential role having been recalled at left-back by boss Eddie Howe for Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Everton.

Rico’s menacing delivery from a corner eventually found its way back to Wilson, who headed in his first of the afternoon against the Toffees.

And a measured first-time through ball on the volley from the former Leganes man set the England striker on his way for his second and Cherries’ third 18 minutes from time at Vitality Stadium.

Asked about the defender, a £10.7million signing in July 2018, Wilson told the Daily Echo:

“Full-backs and wingers like to get assists and if you get the opportunity as a striker, you always want to be scoring them as well.

“It was a great little ball from him and thankfully I managed to score it.

“I think he will take confidence from that.

“He has got a wand of a left foot to be honest and we have so many good players that have great delivery. We can mix it up from week-to-week really.

“Regardless of personnel, the quality is going to be the same. It’s just about making sure your movements and your timings are right and you are getting on the end of the ball at the right time.”

Former Real Zaragoza man Rico has made 14 appearances in the top-flight for the Dorset club, featuring in the winning team on just two occasions.

Asked whether Sunday’s performance had been the best he had seen from him in a Cherries shirt, manager Howe told the Daily Echo: “Yes, I think so. He had a few moments last year where he did very well but that was a tough test again for him against Everton.

“I thought he stuck to his task really well against a tough competitor (in Richarlison), so credit to Diego.

“I think the beauty of Diego is he has that lovely left foot. You saw that with the first goal we scored against Everton. It was an incredible ball in from the corner.

“That’s important. Every asset you have is important if it can improve the team. I want to be very calm with Diego but it was a good day for him.

“Someone with that strength of foot, he has real power in it, accuracy with it and it is a big asset.”