Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson makes long-awaited return from knee injury in Under-21s win over Norwich

• e-mail

Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has made his return from a second lengthy period on the sidelines during the club's Under-21s match against Norwich City on Wednesday night.

Wilson has been out since January after suffering his second serious knee injury in the space of 16 months, but having had successful surgery, the striker played over an hour against the Canaries. 

The 25-year-old was back in action at the Vitality Stadium for a Premier League Cup fixture and said he felt sharp after his first taste of playing action this season.

Callum Wilson has made his return from eight months out in Bournemouth's Under-21s match

Wilson suffered his first rupture of anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee two years ago

'It was good,' he told the club's official website. 'I felt confident, strong, fit - not out of place really. It was good to get minutes, albeit for the under-21s.

'A game's a game at this stage I'm at and hopefully I'll be back in the first team soon.'

Wilson suffered a serious knee injury in September 2015 when Bournemouth were beaten 2-1 at Stoke City, with the setback coming after he had scored five Premier League goals in his opening six matches in the top flight. 

The former Coventry striker returned before the end of the season and had scored six goals last season before suffering a recurrence in the 2-0 defeat by Crystal Palace at home on January 31.

The 25-year-old now believes he has completed all the various tests to strengthen his knees

Wilson returned to action towards the end of the 2015-16 season after his first knee injury

But Wilson felt no ill effects following his most recent lay-off, adding: 'It feels fine, it's not even in my mind. I know it's strong, I've done all my testing and everything says it's stronger than last time,' he continued.

'I didn't even think about it, I just thought about playing well and focus on the pitch.

'This time round I feel a lot better, last time I think I rushed myself back a little bit. I took longer this time and I think I've benefited from that.

'I've been to see different people and Jonny King, the physio at the club, has really helped.

'Training's been good, I've been training with the squad and I feel sharp and good. I wanted to get a game and now I've ticked that box and played 65 minutes.

'Now it's whenever the manager thinks I'm ready and for for selection.'

Benik Afobe scored a hat-trick against the Championship side with Tristan Abrahams scoring both goals for the visitors in an entertaining encounter.