STRIKER Yann Kermorgant backed his team-mates to cope with a busy September schedule ahead of Cherries’ return to Championship action.

Following a fortnight off for the international break, Cherries host Rotherham tomorrow in the first of six games over the next two and a half weeks, five of which are in the league.

Eddie Howe’s men entertain Leeds on Tuesday and then travel to Watford a week tomorrow, with a subsequent League Cup third-round trip to Cardiff followed by fixtures against Wigan and Derby.

For Kermorgant, the upcoming spell will give Cherries the chance to show their strength-in-depth and the Frenchman believes the Dean Court club will emerge with flying colours.

He told the Daily Echo: “Playing every three days is good for the squad because you need everybody involved and I think everybody will have the chance to play a part.

“It’s not just us, it’s the same for a lot of teams in the Championship, as the teams that are still in the League Cup will play every few days until the next international break in October.

“This will be a good period to see which teams have not only big squads but quality squads. I think that’s what we have and I’m sure the gaffer is confident about switching players and giving opportunities to players who have not played as much.”

Bournemouth took seven points from their first five Championship games, a return which placed them 11th heading into tomorrow's clash with Rotherham (3pm).

And former Charlton forward Kermorgant has challenged Cherries to be “more ruthless” as they go in search of three points against the Millers.

He continued: “To lose two league games out of five was too much but that’s football and we need to learn from it. We need to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch and I think there’s a lot more to come from us.

“Rotherham are a promoted team and it’s always difficult to play promoted teams at the beginning of the season. They will have the momentum from their promotion and they will fight to stay in the Championship.

“We will take it as a massive game.”