MANAGER Eddie Howe says Cherries will need to be at their best if they are to beat “dangerous” Coventry City.

The Sky Blues arrive in Dorset in eighth place – eight points adrift of Cherries – but with a formidable away record.

Out of 50 points registered in League One this term, Coventry have claimed 30 of them on the road.

Previewing tomorrow's clash (7.45pm), Howe told the Daily Echo: “They kept a lot of the better younger players that they came down with from the Championship and they added a couple of really good and experienced players into their group.

“They are a dangerous team and, potentially, as good as anything in the league, so we are going to have to be at our best to beat Coventry.

“Because they have come from so far back like we did, it makes them even more dangerous.”

Striker Leon Clarke has netted eight goals in 12 appearances since joining Coventry.

Howe said: “Physically, he is a handful. He is quick and has added a different dimension to their team.

“He is going to be a threat but they have got other good players as well.”

Meanwhile, Howe has expressed concern over the state of the Dean Court pitch.

The surface looked patchy and sandy, particularly in front of the Main Stand, during Cherries’ 1-0 defeat against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Howe added: “There is a concern because, with the type of football we want to play, it is difficult for us.

“The players are having to have more touches than they normally would because the ball is bouncing all over the place and it is sandy and heavy.”

Cherries: (from) Jalal, Francis, Cook, Seaborne, Painter, Ritchie, Arter, O’Kane, Pugh, Grabban, Pitman, McQuoid, Fraser, Tubbs, Hughes, Fogden, MacDonald, Partington, Fletcher, Allsop.

Sky Blues: (from) Murphy; Christie, Cameron, Martin, Dickinson, Baker, Bailey, Jennings, McSheffrey, L Clarke, Elliott, Moussa, Edjenguele, J Clarke, Thomas, Wilson, Fleck, Dunn.