JOSHUA King says adopting the same "no fear" attitude he had when playing football in the school playground is the secret behind his goal-laden 2017.

King's clinical finish after 96 seconds set Cherries on their way to a vital 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

It was the striker's 11th goal of the calendar year and his 10th in 11 Premier League matches. He has scored 14 in the top-flight this season, having previously netted only 11 league goals in a career that was in danger of being stymied by a succession of niggling injures.

"I was a confident kid but being injured as much as I have killed that confidence," said King.

"I think I have got that childhood confidence back. My mum texted me on Saturday and said 'when I am watching you playing now it is like watching you on the playground, when you were young with no fear'.

"I think I am back playing the way that got me the move to Manchester United. I am playing with no fear and just enjoying it.

"When you are in and out of the team and injured a lot... you always come back, but it is tough. But when you have a full season in your legs, and the confidence and fitness is there, all you have to do is enjoy it."

King's rich, youthful promise persuaded United to bring the forward to this country from his native Norway when he was only 16.

In common with so many teenage aspirants he didn't quite make the grade at Old Trafford, being farmed out on loan to Preston, Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, Hull City and, finally, Blackburn, where he ultimately penned a permanent deal.

"I was a little kid when I moved over, a little skinny boy," said King. "I have grown a lot since and that was part of the reason for my injuries.

"This season is the first time my body has felt 100 per cent right. I have been at loads of clubs and not stayed fit but this year I have missed one game.

"When you play every game the fitness and the confidence follow."

King's prolific burst of form is all the more impressive given it has coincided with him being asked to shoulder a hefty chunk of Cherries' scoring burden after Callum Wilson's season was ended by injury.

Rather than be daunted by the responsibility, the 25-year-old has thrived on it – and he has no intention of letting up before the campaign is over.

Moreover, King, a £1m signing from Blackburn in summer 2015, is definitely not going to be sidetracked by talk of interest in him from elsewhere.

He added: "I have played in numerous positions but I am closer to goal now, so when I get the chances I am more ruthless than I have been previously.

"We have got four games left and, hopefully, I can get four more goals.

"I am here at the club, I have four games left and the manager has been brilliant with me. I am not focusing on anything else."