CHERRIES star Joshua King could withdraw from international duty with Norway due to an ongoing back problem.

Striker King has been named in Lars Lagerback’s squad for friendlies with Macedonia and Slovakia later this month.

But the frontman is set to be assessed by Cherries’ medical staff before a decision is taken as to whether he will be available.

King returned to the Cherries starting line-up at Newcastle yesterday following a three-match absence due to a combination of his back complaint and illness.

The 25-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes at St James’s Park, turned in an accomplished display and appeared to show no ill effects of his injury.

He initially hurt his back during Cherries’ 3-2 win over West Ham in March – a game in which he plundered a hat-trick.

King continued to play through the pain, netting a further five goals in Cherries’ final nine matches, with his total haul of 16 helping the club secure ninth place in the top flight.

Capped 31 times by his country, King’s recent appearances for Norway have also been hampered by the nagging injury.

He netted a penalty in a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier in September but sat out the 6-0 defeat by Germany just three days later.

And after hitting a double, including a penalty, in an 8-0 victory over San Marino in October, King was again sidelined for their final qualifier – a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.

He has recently been assessed by specialists and could pull out of the Norway squad as a precaution.

Ryan Fraser, who has recovered from a minor hamstring problem, is expected to link up with Scotland for their friendly with Holland.