MARC Pugh is relishing the possibility of locking horns with Adam Smith – and he thinks his old pal’s attacking style could suit Cherries.

Playmaker Pugh will be hoping to help Cherries continue their decent away form when they visit MK Dons in League One tomorrow (3pm).

Lancastrian Pugh has been one of the club’s top performers in a difficult start to the campaign.

The ex-Hereford United star looks well on course to reach double figures again and sits top of Cherries’ goalscoring charts after hitting the net six times in all competitions.

But it could be a former team-mate standing in his way at stadiummk – with Smith in the running to be given the task of stopping Pugh on Cherries’ left flank.

The right-back is no stranger to Cherries as he played a key role in the club’s promotion near miss last season. A forward-thinking defender, Smith scored one goal in 42 appearances to help Cherries reach the League One play-offs.

Despite receiving an offer from Cherries during the close-season, Smith chose to re-sign for parent club Tottenham Hotspur and subsequently went on loan to MK Dons.

Speaking after Cherries’ draw against Rochdale, Pugh told the Daily Echo: “I will enjoy playing against him, so it should be a good battle.

“He is a good lad and is an attacking full-back. Hopefully, he will leave a lot of gaps in behind for me to exploit.

“I prefer full-backs that like to push forward because it gives a lot more space.

“And if we can counter-attack, then I feel there are a lot of goals in it for us.”

Smith made his England under-21 debut on Monday night but the full-back, who has been restricted to six league starts for Dons, will be aiming to win a recall to Karl Robinson’s line-up.

Pugh, who revealed he would be attempting to give Smith “a bit of stick” in the build-up to the game, would expect the defender to get on the front foot if selected to face his former club.

He added: “You know what you are getting from Smithy.

“You are getting good work-rate, good quality on the ball and he will push on all day. I am really looking forward to it.”

Pugh was speaking before reports in Lancashire this week linked him with a possible move back to hometown club Burnley.

Ex-Cherries boss and Clarets manager Eddie Howe, who signed Pugh from Hereford during his time in charge at Dean Court, was among the crowd to watch his old club against Rochdale last Saturday.

The Championship outfit were also represented at Cherries’ previous match at Tranmere Rovers.