JOSHUA King knows Cherries have big boots to fill following Callum Wilson’s loss to injury – but is backing the strikers to deliver as Eddie Howe’s men look to turn the tide.

King played a starring role to help Cherries through a sticky patch in their first season in the Premier League and could again be tasked with leading the line in Wilson’s absence.

The Norwegian international ended the campaign as Cherries’ leading marksman and netted crucial goals in wins against Manchester United, Newcastle, Swansea and Aston Villa.

He started to flourish as Cherries’ main striker after Wilson’s season had come to a premature end following a serious knee injury, sustained at Stoke in September 2015.

And with Wilson set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines having suffered a similar fate to his other knee in training last month, King is likely to be called upon in his preferred position.

The 25-year-old, who has hit four of his six goals this season in Cherries’ past seven games, told the Daily Echo: “I am confident in the team. I have been playing the number 10 role for most of the season and sometimes on the wing.

“The manager knows my favourite position is the nine. I think I showed that last season as well but we have so many good strikers.

“When he asks me to play 10, it is not like I am angry or anything because I just want to help the team. If the manager thinks I am helping by playing as a 10 then that’s what he wants and what he believes in.

“Unfortunately, we have lost one of our main players to injury so it is going to need other people to step up, like we did last season.

“Callum was brilliant before he got injured so me, Benik (Afobe) and Lys (Mousset) are going to have to fill his boots which won’t be an easy job because he is a magnificent player and a good team-mate, both on and off the pitch.”

King completed the scoring in Cherries’ win at Swansea on New Year’s Eve, a victory which has been followed by a run of two points in six games.

Cherries’ next two games are away to in-form West Brom on Saturday and against Manchester United at Old Trafford on March 4.

King added: “Everyone knows what we have to do and we know we haven’t been where we should have in 2017.

“But we were in a similar situation last season and the only people who can change the bad run of form is us.

“One win and the confidence will come back. It happened last season after we had scored the late equaliser against Everton and went on a run.

“A win or an amazing performance against a very good team, like a Manchester United at Old Trafford, would help.

“We know we can win when we are on it and everything is going well so we need to get back into the habit of doing it.

“I love the tough games. I love the hype and playing at big stadiums like Old Trafford. I haven’t played at West Brom but we won there last season and I am sure we can do it again. It is up to us to get our form back and start winning again.”