Eddie Howe says that Callum Wilson will be assessed in training ahead of the clash with West Ham on Monday night.
The number 9 has not featured in any type of game since the post-season friendly in Australia against Tottenham Hotspur back in May. Wilson has missed 126 days of this campaign with a back injury.
Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier could also be back in contention for the clash with the Hammers after returning to training following a hamstring injury.
Howe, speaking at his pre-match Press conference ahead of Monday’s encounter with West Ham, said on Wilson: “He’s doing well. We anticipate he’s gonna train with the group today.
“Whether he’s quite there for West Ham let’s see, there’s a chance he could be involved but we need to get through the next few days.
“On Kieran he’s slightly closer I’d say. He trained yesterday, trained well, felt good, had no ill effects and looked sharp.
But that was the first day training, so again, we’re in a similar position in the respect that we’re right at the end of the rehab where you’ve got to navigate the last few days.”
Howe expressed caution when it came to bringing Wilson back, he added: “I think that the most important thing is that Callum does come back and when he does come back, he’s in a good place to contribute and to make a difference.
“We know his importance but he’s obviously at a delicate stage of his return because you’ve got to manage the last parts correctly.
“We need to learn from previous issues that we’ve had and try and keep.”
Howe is under less pressure with Trippier given the emergence of Tino Livramento who goes into the West Ham game on the back of his England debut, which included a big hand in Anthony Gordon’s first international goal against the Republic of Ireland. The 5-0 win in the UEFA Nations League saw Lewis Hall also shine at Wembley.
Reflecting on the pride of his players pulling on the Three Lions jersey, Howe said: “There was an enormous amount of pride I think between the staff watching the players perform and not just perform but how well they performed in the game – and how they contributed to England’s win.
“I think it was a great thing to see and great to see Anthony score his first goal and Tino win his first cap and Lewis Hall in his second game looks so settled in the team.
“So full credit to all the players that have made, those big strides in their careers. Certainly moments for them they’ll never forget. They’ll always look back with pride, you know, in those first few moments for their country.”
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