EDDIE Howe admits Joshua King's hamstring concern is "far from ideal" after the forward missed Saturday's trip to Liverpool.

The Norway international was absent for 11 games earlier in the campaign after being forced off with a hamstring injury in defeat at Brighton in December, also suffering a similar problem on duty for his country a month earlier.

And Howe revealed the 28-year-old has been having trouble again, with the issue preventing him from taking part at Anfield.

"I don’t think it’s serious, but it was enough to keep him out of Saturday," said Howe.

"Far from ideal for us. He did it against Chelsea last week, very early in the game. Managed to play on okay but obviously discomfort for him this week.

"At Burnley it was just more of a tightness, this is more of a pain. It’s far from ideal.

"I think Kingy since he’s been here has been really good in terms of his appearances and keeping him on the pitch.

"This season is the first season we’ve suffered and he’s always suffered with historical hamstring problems at other clubs.

"We hope to get him fit quickly."