Bournemouth, who Watford face this Saturday in the Premier League, have been dealt a huge blow as top scorer Callum Wilson will be ruled out for six months with a knee ligament injury.

The striker had netted five goals in his first six top flight matches but ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament 17 minutes into the Cherries’ 2-1 defeat at Stoke City last weekend.

Wilson initially went down following a challenge from defender Philipp Wollscheid but returned to the pitch following treatment. However, Wilson fell to the turf again 30 seconds later and left the field on a stretcher.

”It’s very disappointing for Callum, after what has been an exceptional start to the season, but I am sure he will come back fitter and stronger,” Cherries boss Eddie Howe told the club website.

“Callum is the type of character who won’t be fazed by such a setback, and I am sure he will turn this experience into a positive in the long run.

“As I have said many times before though, this kind of setback offers others the opportunity to step up to the plate, show everybody what they can do and make a real impact at this level.”

Wilson is the third Bournemouth player to suffer knee ligament damage this season. New signing Tyrone Mings tore his anterior and medial ligaments in August against Leicester City while Max Gradel ruptured a cruciate ligament in the same match.