CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe admits the opportunity to lock horns with Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri presents an intriguing prospect.

Howe will tomorrow get a rare opportunity to take on an Italian boss – one of the most decorated managers he has faced – when the Foxes visit the Vitality Stadium (3pm).

A keen follower of the Italian game, Howe this summer saw the methods used by Serie A outfits Fiorentina and Empoli.

Ranieri won five trophies during spells at Cagliari and Fiorentina early in his career and, between 2007 and 2012, spent time at Parma, Inter Milan, Roma and Juventus.

And Howe admits he will be fascinated to see how the ex-Chelsea boss approaches the clash.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “When you look at his record and the clubs he has managed, he’s got a great CV. You don’t manage those clubs unless you know what you’re doing tactically and technically.

“It’s going to be a really good test for us to come up against a side managed by him and the way he sets them up will be intriguing.

“Then we have the battle of trying to win the match. I wouldn’t say we have any fears about facing an experienced Italian manager and it’s certainly a challenge we’re looking forward to.

“The Italian league has always fascinated me because it’s very tactical and I would imagine a tough league to play in.

“I think that when I was watching it as a kid in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, I’d say it was the most tactical league. Whether it still is now, I’m not sure.

“But it does fascinate me on a tactical level and it will be interesting to see what tactical innovations Ranieri brings to the Premier League.”

The recruitment of the 63-year-old as Leicester boss had been viewed with some surprise in certain quarters but Howe perceived it as an indicator of the increased strength of the top flight.

He added: “I think it shows that the Premier League is strong on all levels. It’s not only the managers that are being recruited by all of the sides, it’s the players as well.

“People used to talk about the big four but now it’s probably the big 16 or 17! Some of the top players from all over Europe are coming here and making the league stronger and more difficult.

“That’s why we need to be better than we ever have to be competitive.”

Howe revealed Harry Arter had yesterday been due to see a specialist over groin and hip problems. The boss also admitted that “a couple of knocks” had been sustained in Tuesday’s League Cup victory at Hartlepool.