JASON Tindall described as a "real handful" Joshua King's second-half performance against Oldham, before joking: "It might've put another £5million on his price tag!"

King netted his first goals of the season for Cherries, bagging a brace in a 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over the Latics at Vitality Stadium.

The striker has been heavily linked with a move away from the club for the past year.

Offers from Manchester United, Torino and West Ham have all been rejected in past transfer windows and reports have linked the likes of Newcastle and West Brom with a move for the Norway international this month.

But boss Tindall, who handed King a first start since early November this afternoon, was happy with what he saw from the forward.

"The speculation has been there the last few days and Kingy played today, he was eager to play, wanted to play and he’s played and scored two goals," said Tindall.

"I don’t think it’s affecting him too much. I think throughout my time at the football club there’s always been speculation on many players in every transfer window.

"That’s just the way it is, that’s the way it will always be no doubt and we can’t deal with speculation, we can only deal with facts and what happens. Until someone tells me otherwise, Josh King is a Bournemouth player and I’m grateful and thankful for that.

"It might’ve put another £5million on his price tag!

"Listen, strikers want to score goals and Josh is no different to any striker that when you play you live for moments and you live for scoring goals. He’s gone out there, delivered a good performance, I’m pleased that he’s got 90 minutes under his belt.

"It’s been a long time coming and I’m pleased that he’s got two goals and with the upcoming fixtures we’ve got ahead of ourselves, he’s going to be really important for that."

He added: "I can’t question how he’s trained and how’s his attitude’s been. I think all the speculation and everything that’s happened in the past is the past and that’s completely been put aside and not even really thought about.

"It’s important you don’t let anything take your focus away from what you’re doing, because you can’t affect it. All you can focus on is the now and that’s what Josh has done and I’m pleased he’s gone out and delivered a good performance."

Cherries struggled during the first half against their League Two opponents before King came to life after the restart with a headed goal and clinical finish.

"I felt he started off a little bit slow," admitted Tindall.

"As the game went on, he really got into it and certainly in the second half I felt he was a real handful, a real threat and he’s ended up coming off the pitch today with two good goals and 90 minutes behind him.

"So it’s been a really good afternoon for Josh King and for us as a team moving forward."