Martin O’Neill has watched the 24-year-old in action on numerous occasions.
There was a steady clamour growing, at the start of the season, when Callum Wilson was totting up the Premier League goals for Bournemouth.
Ireland were nearing the end of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign and very much in need of a top level goalscorer.
Wilson scored five goals in seven league games and there was much speculation that Martin O’Neill would invite him to Dublin to train with Ireland. The Coventry native has represented England at underage level but is Irish qualified.
Speaking to reporters in May, last year, O’Neill admitted he had been scouting the striker. He said:
“I think he’s a very good player. We’re in the process and have been checking it out. I’ve seen him a number of times.”
Wilson badly injured his knee, in October, but he has now made a return for the Cherries. Last Saturday, he came off the bench as Eddie Howe’s side nudged Aston Villa closer to the relegation trap door.
Now, Wilson is pressing for a starting spot and, with it, could push his name back into the Irish picture.
Seven players Martin O'Neill should select for Ireland's Euro 2016 friendlies https://t.co/gQ9IULG6uz pic.twitter.com/Yf2uzd7NDp
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 18, 2015
Benik Afobe, Joshua King and Lewis Grabban have all chipped in with goals but Wilson has told Bournemouth Echo his sights are set on finishing as the club’s top scorer. He said:
“Competition for any striker is good because it pushes you. The manager has made some great signings and those players have helped get us to where we are now.
“We are in the Premier League so nobody can expect to walk into the team every week. Competition is healthy and, hopefully, I will be pushing them for their shirts…
“We have five games left and, as a striker, you want to finish top of the tree. I am still only one goal behind so hopefully I can make that up.”
Next up for Wilson and Bournemouth is a home tie against Liverpool.
Were Wilson interested in playing for Ireland, and called up by O’Neill, he would only have the friendlies against The Netherlands and Belarus to stake his claim.
