MANAGER Eddie Howe predicts West Bromwich Albion will provide a “stern test” as Cherries look to pen another chapter in the Dean Court record books.

Cherries will tomorrow bid to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in their history when they host the Premier League Baggies (7.45pm).

The Dorset club equalled its best run in the competition after seeing off Cardiff in the third round, matching a feat achieved in 1961 under Bill McGarry and 1963 under Reg Flewin.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Howe said: “It is a great game for us and great for our supporters to see a Premier League team here. I watched them against Manchester United last week and thought they were excellent. They have been in good form, winning at Tottenham, beating Burnley comfortably at home and coming back to draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“They are gaining in momentum as the season progresses and certainly have some useful front players so it will be a really good test. Hopefully, we can just enjoy it without the pressure of league points and it can be a really good occasion. I know it will be a stern test.”

Asked for his thoughts on clubs fielding weakened teams in the League Cup, Howe said: “I have a view that a lot of supporters want to see young players blooded but there is an outcry when that happens because you are perceived to have played what isn’t your strongest team.

“It is a difficult one for the Premier League clubs. With the pressure of points and all the money at stake at that level, I think they see this competition as a good chance to rotate their squads, keep everyone happy and give young players good experience.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with that but it depends on where you are and what your thoughts are on the competition because it is a good chance for a lot of clubs to win a trophy. It is a delicate balance act for them.

“For us, and to a lesser degree, it is the same type of scenario. We want to keep everyone in the squad involved, we want to give everyone game-time and we want to blood young players. We have managed to do that and pick up results to get us to this stage.

“We will be big underdogs and have never been further than this in our history. I think that goes to show how big an ask this is. We talk a lot with the players about trying to break new ground and reach new levels.

“It is a great incentive to us. The club has been hugely successful over the past two years and to potentially break a record which has stood since the competition started would be a remarkable achievement so we are very keen to try to do it if we can.”

Steve Cook and Harry Arter are both suspended after picking up their fifth bookings of the season at Birmingham on Saturday, while Andrew Surman is cup tied having played in an earlier round for former club Norwich. Loan goalkeeper Artur Boruc, however, is available.