CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe has challenged his players to step up “another level” as they bid to steal a march on their promotion rivals.

Howe was speaking ahead of tomorrow’s crunch showdown with Derby which will see the top two in the Championship face-off at Dean Court.

Table-topping Cherries, who were priced at 25-1 to win the title, host the bookies’ pre-season favourites with just goal difference keeping them apart.

Howe said: “A lot can be made of one game but I think everyone realises the importance due to the league positions. I am not going to play it down or build it up. It is one game.

“There are lots of games and points to play for so this will not define our season in any way, shape or form. But it is an important game because whenever you play your rivals, there is an extra edge.

“If you get a positive result and performance, it can breed even more confidence in the players at a crucial stage of the season. With so many pivotal games to come, that could be very important momentum to build.

“The league is very tight and every team around the top 10 will be looking to push on at such a crucial stage of the season. With so many games to go, things can change quickly and it is up to us, if we can, to try to go to another level.

“As well as we have done, we don’t want to look back and think that was as good as it got for us. We are looking to go further forward.

“We haven’t allowed ourselves any time to reflect and have been focusing on the next training session and the next game. As the games tick down, everyone’s focus will become more intense. Every team in the top half will be thinking they can get to the Premier League and we just want to concentrate on what we can influence.”

Beaten by QPR in last season’s Championship play-off final, the Rams have won six of their past seven games, while Cherries have lost just two of their past 19 in the league since going down at the iPro in September.

Howe added: “We are where we are on merit and it is a remarkable story. When you compare our recent history with clubs like Derby, Norwich and Wigan, they are polar opposites. I hope that can inspire our crowd to think back a few years and remember where we were and what we would have done to be in this position now.

“Night games here are always good and, hopefully, this one can be very special. We are just hoping for a performance. We did well against Watford, albeit against 10 men. We were really pleased with that game and I think this one will be similar.

“It will be a tough test because Derby are a very good team. They have proved that with the run they have been on and we are going to have to be on top form to get anything.”