MANAGER Eddie Howe has said he will again rotate his squad next season and insists he has “no set team” ahead of Cherries’ new Championship campaign.

Howe has seen Cherries turn in three impressive displays during pre-season with the majority of his squad playing a part against FC Copenhagen, Eastleigh and Dorchester.

But with Cherries’ curtain-raiser against Huddersfield edging ever closer, Howe says his first starting line-up will have no bearing on the remainder of the season.

He told the Daily Echo: “There is no set team in my mind. With the quality of the squad and regardless of position, I don’t think there can be. It is going to be a season where I am going to rotate the squad.

“In essence, even if someone misses out on the first day, it is not the end of the world. There are a lot of players in the squad who are going to play a lot of games and we will need that strength in depth to make sure everybody is fresh when we come to the turn of the year.

“The first team will be important in the players’ minds but, in my mind, it is just for that game. We have a busy schedule at the start of the season and are going to need everybody.

“It is good to see everyone playing so well and in form. I think we have looked very good in the three games so far so, in that sense, the squad is in healthy shape.”

Howe, who has also tried several formations during pre-season, added: “We try to test the players and changed three or four times against Dorchester. I think it is good to have that in your armoury.

“We have looked at different things but I wouldn’t read too much into it. It is just a case of us experimenting and trying to get players in their best positions so when they do play, they can perform at their best.”