BENIK Afobe is hoping his lethal pre-season form can help him find his goalscoring edge in the Premier League – after admitting he should have hit double figures last term.

The former Arsenal and Wolves frontman returned from illness to score twice in the 3-1 win over Yeovil Town on Wednesday, to increase to three goals his tally in Cherries' pre-season clashes.

Having struck six times in 31 appearances in the top flight last term, Afobe insisted he would work hard in a bid to boost his total this time round.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's home friendly against Napoli, he told the Daily Echo: “As a centre forward you want to start scoring goals early and that’s now three goals in two games, so, hopefully, I can take it into the season.

“Last season I think I was getting into great positions and could have scored about 10 more goals than I did. Even though I only started playing from halfway through the season, I think I should have still ended up with 10 to 15 goals.

“I get myself in good positions and this season, it’s about taking them, being more of a threat in behind and helping the team win more games than we did last year.

“Especially last season, the manager kept saying to me to be patient, even if you want a touch of the ball and that the best touch is a tap-in from two yards.”

The 24-year-old's two close-range finishes helped Cherries overturn a one-goal deficit against their League Two opponents at Huish Park and, while he admits he had chances before finding the net, the striker was keen to keep calm.

He added: “One of the main things as a centre forward is you need to be strong mentally. I think I had a couple of chances before (at Yeovil) and one of them I slipped and the other one the keeper came rushing out on me.

“If I was a bit sharper and it was half way through the season I probably would have slotted them. It’s just about staying confident, believing in yourself and, when you get your chances, having composure.”

With Cherries bringing in England striker Jermain Defoe this summer to supplement the likes of Callum Wilson, Joshua King, Lys Mousset and youngster Sam Surridge, Afobe knows competition for match minutes is fierce.

“Everywhere you go there is going to be competition, whether it is League Two or the Premier League,” he added.

“We have got great players and have got ability in all positions, not just the strikers. For me, all I can do is score goals, enjoy my football, walk around with a smile on my face, keep working hard and be the best player I can be.

“If that’s good enough, hopefully, I can get a chance. If not, I will keep working hard and it’s a long season, I found that out last season and whenever I am on the pitch I want to score goals."