CHERRIES striker Joshua King is in contention to return to the side for Sunday’s match against Arsenal.

The Norwegian international missed the past three Premier League games due to an ankle injury.

King has not featured since the draw with Southampton at Vitality Stadium in October.

Boss Eddie Howe said: “He has improved. He trained with the group and we will be excited if he is fit.”

Howe said the international break had provided an opportunity to get some of his squad off the treatment table.

“We’re a lot better than we had been after the Newcastle game where we had a number of players who had carried knocks and injuries,” said Howe.

“The break allowed us to nurse a couple to somewhere near full fitness. We will still make a few late checks going into the game but we are in a lot better shape.”