Callum Wilson reveals he missed birth of his child to get fit again and achieve England dream
Cherries ace has suffered two cruciate knee ligament injuries in the last three years but is playing for the Three Lions
ENGLAND and Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has explained the pain he went through to save his career – including missing the birth of his baby.
The Cherries ace has suffered two cruciate knee ligament injuries in the last three years, the most recent striking him down in January 2017.
But the 26-year-old has battled his way back to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions side, after notching six Premier League goals in the opening 12 matches of the season.
During the rehabilitation of his second knee injury, Wilson spent time in Qatar, as well as the USA, and it cost him the chance to see his second-born enter the world.
Wilson told BBC Radio 5 live: "When I first did my anterior cruciate ligament, Alan Shearer texted me - a legend - so to receive a text from him, I was in shock at the time.
"Before the injury, he gave me a bit of stick on Match of the Day for missing a few chances but that is what he is there for and he has been very supportive.
Ian Wright explains Callum Wilson’s dream England week
By Ian Wright
CALLUM WILSON is living the England dream… and Wayne Rooney will help lift the pressure.
There are loads of highs and lows about being a professional footballer – but few emotions come close to getting that first call to play for your country.
Opening that official letter and reading the words “I am pleased to inform you that you have been called up to represent…” Very few things come close.
That’s why I made a point of texting Callum when I heard he was in the England squad and told him “make sure you keep that first letter”.
"He congratulated me, wished me well and told me not to score too many against Newcastle, which unfortunately I did.
"When I had my second injury, I actually missed the birth of my second child being out there, so that shows the sacrifices I made to get to this point.”
The former Coventry ace had loan spells at Kettering Town and Tamworth before his 2014 Bournemouth transfer.
And he revealed how much those temporary moves outside of the football league helped boost his motivation.
He said: "It was a bit surreal and put football into perspective.
"You turn up for a team like that [Tamworth] and players are coming in in their work overalls and work vans, coming from a painting job that they had just finished.
"It showed me that I did not want to be at that level throughout my career. I wanted to make more of myself.
"It gave me the hunger and desire to impress my club manager at the time and then eventually go back to my home club and play."