FROM A JACK TO A KING: BE MAN FOR ALL SEASON

JOSH KING has been a model professional despite his transfer desperation, according to Jack Stacey.

Wantaway King had expected to leave the south coast in the summer but Bournemouth rejected bids from West Ham and Torino.

The Hammers may return this month but the Cherries are prepared to allow him to leave for free when his contract expires in the summer rather than accept an offer below their valuation now.

The Norwegian (above) scored his first two goals of the season as Cherries eased past Oldham in the FA Cup. “No matter what his career intentions are, as long as he never shows them in training, no one will complain,” defender Stacey said. “He has shown maximum effort. As long as he carries on like that, I’m sure everyone would love to have him for the season.”

Oldham went in level after Dylan Bahamboula’s penalty cancelled out David Brooks’s opener. But a Rodrigo Riquelme goal and King’s header and bottomcorner finish sealed victory.

Oldham manager Harry

Kewell said: “The score makes us look like we were battered but, when you look closely, we held our own. I’m proud of the boys.”

OLDHAM: Lawlor 6, Diarra 5 (Dearnley 71, 6), Piergianni 6, Clarke 5, Hamer 6, Ntambwe 6 (McAleny 67, 6), McCalmont 6, Barnett 6, Garrity 7 (Whelan 78, 6), Keillor-Dunn 7, Bahamboula 7 BOURNEMOUTH: Dennis 5, Stacey 8 (A Smith, 67, 6), Simpson 5, Carter-Vickers 7, Zemura 6 (Lerma 79), Kilkenny 5, Gosling 5 (Rico, 46, 6), Billing 6 (Surridge 78, 7), Brooks 7 (Anthony 67, 6), King 8, Riquelme 7

REFEREE: Andy Woolmer