CHERRIES will host fierce rivals Southampton in a friendly next month as Eddie Howe’s men warm up for the 2014-15 Championship campaign.

The fixture against Saints will take place on Friday, July 25 (7.45pm), seven days before Swansea visit Dean Court.

Southampton achieved their highest Premier League finish since 2003 last season but lost the services of manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham Hotspur last week.

Striker Rickie Lambert completed a £4m switch to Liverpool on Monday, while Adam Lallana was the subject of a £25million bid from the Anfield club.

Meanwhile, Norwich City became the latest club to be linked with a move for Cherries striker Lewis Grabban.

Sky Sports yesterday reported that the relegated Canaries were keen on signing the 22-goal top scorer.

Cherries accepted an undisclosed bid from Cardiff City three weeks ago, with the offer understood to have triggered a £3million release clause in Grabban’s contract.

But now Norwich are reportedly hopeful of making a late play for the hitman’s services.

Nottingham Forest, Derby, Fulham and Wigan are among the other clubs understood to be keeping tabs on the ex-Rotherham forward.

Elsewhere, Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn will be among those present when Football League clubs meet in Faro, Portugal today for their annual general meeting.

The issue of a new tier for B teams - recently proposed by a Football Association commission headed by Greg Dyke - will top the agenda, while financial fair play rules, artificial pitches and the expansion of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy will also be discussed.