TOMMY Elphick feels pitch conditions will play into Cherries’ hands when they make the trip to Derby tomorrow.

Cherries played out a 1-1 draw with visitors Burnley in the Championship six days ago, with the match only going ahead after a 7.30am inspection.

The home side were unable to play their passing brand of football on a surface previously pounded by rain, but with conditions set to be kinder at Pride Park, captain Elphick feels Eddie Howe’s men can return to their favoured style.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s going to be a tough game, especially away from home, but that’s something that hopefully we will relish and I think conditions will suit us.

“It will come down to who is better on the ball, as opposed to some of the other games we’ve had to play recently, when we’ve shown our battling qualities.

“We are going to have to show our technical side again.”